Fertilizer compositions comprising a cellulose nutrient component and methods for using same

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the invention include compositions for fertilizing and remediating soil. Compositions according to certain embodiments include a cellulose nutrient composition, a microbial blend composition, a source of nitrogen, a source of phosphorus and exotic micronutrients. Methods for using compositions of the invention to fertilize and remediate soil and kits having one or more compositions for fertilizing and remediating soil are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/943,947, filed Feb. 24, 2014, the disclosure of which applicationis incorporated herein by reference.

INTRODUCTION

Fertilizers are organic or inorganic materials of natural or syntheticorigin that are added to soil to supply one or more plant nutrientsneeded for plant nutrition. Fertilizers can come in various forms, suchas granulated or powdered forms, liquid fertilizers including neatliquids and aqueous mixture, semi-solids as well as slurry suspensionsand even in gaseous form. Accordingly, the nutrients from the fertilizermay be provided to the plant in varying ways, including absorptionthrough the roots or plant foliage.

Commercially, fertilizers have been used to remediate soils either tocorrect natural deficiencies, replace missing components or tosupplement essential nutrients present in low abundance. It is estimatedthat between 30% and 50% of all agricultural crop yield is attributed tobenefits provided by fertilizers. In spite of the number of differentfertilizers that have been developed, there is a continued need todevelop new compositions.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the invention include compositions for fertilizing andremediating soil. Compositions according to certain embodiments includea cellulose nutrient component, a microbial blend component, a source ofnitrogen, a source of phosphorus and exotic micronutrients. Methods forusing compositions of the invention to remediate soil and kits havingone or more of the subject compositions are also described.

In embodiments of the invention, compositions for fertilizing andremediating soil are provided and include a cellulose nutrientcomponent, a microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, a sourceof phosphorus and exotic micronutrients. In some instances, thecellulose nutrient component is a green manure crop. In otherembodiments, the cellulose nutrient component is a dried manure crop. Insome instances, the manure crop includes grass family plant tissue, suchas from rice hulls, rice straw, wheat straw, sorghum sudan straw, barleystraw, rye straw, oat straw, rye straw, corn straw, alfalfa hay,bentgrass hay, softwood sawdust, hardwood sawdust, sunflower seedshells, almond hulls, vetch hay, foxtail grass hay, beardgrass hay,whiskey grass hay, bluestem hay, signal grass, running grass,buffelgrass, lovegrass, bowgrass, hindigrass, bluegrass, crabgrass,couchgrass, barnyard grass, antelopegrass, cupgrass, whipgrass,cogongrass, centipedegrass, sesagrass, armgrass, panicgrass, witchgrass,sweetgrass, millet, torpedograss, ticklegrass, switchgrass,buffalograss, dallisgrass, paspalum, knotgrass, vaseygrass, pennisetum,itchgrass, pigeongrass, bristlegrass, Saint Augustine grass,tasselgrass, goatgrass, quackgrass, slender foxtail, windgrass, DowneyBrome, fingergrass, rhodesgrass, bermudagrass, crowfoot grass,goosegrass, stinkgrass, velvetgrass, Hares Tall grass, canarygrass,smutgrass, wild garlic, nutsedge, clover, Johnsongrass, and walnutshells. For example, the cellulose nutrient component is, in certaininstances, rice hulls. In these embodiments, the cellulose nutrientcomponent may be a source of one or more of humic acid, fulvic acid andulmic acid.

In embodiments, compositions also include a microbial blend component.In some instances, the microbial blend component may include one or morebacterial species and one or more fungal species. For example, themicrobial blend component may, in certain instances, include at leastfive distinct microbial species, such as five distinct bacterialspecies. In other instances, the microbial blend component includes atleast 2 distinct fungal species. In certain embodiments, the microbialblend component includes a bacterial species such as Bacillus subtilis;Bacillus thuringiensis; Bacillus cereus; Bacillus megaterium; Bacilluspenetrans; Arthrobacter paraffineus; and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Inother embodiments, the microbial blend includes a fungal species such asTrichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma polysporum,Trichoderma hamatum, Trichoderma koningii, Gliocladium virens,Gieocladium roseum, Gliocladium catenulatum, Penicillium oxalicum,Penicillium lilacinum, Penicillium nigricans, Penicillium chrysogenumand Penicillium frequentens. In some embodiments, the microbial blendcomponent further includes a carrier, such as a liquid or solid carrier.In embodiments of the invention, the microbial blend component includesmicrobial species capable of digesting the cellulose nutrient component.The microbial blend component may include one or more of a bacterial andfungal species that are soil-borne pathogen antagonist, such as a plantparasitic nematode antagonist. For example, the microbial blendcomposition may include rhizobacteria.

In embodiments, compositions also include exotic micronutrients. Forexample, the exotic micronutrients may be one or more (e.g., 10 or more)of Aluminum (Al), Antimony (Sb), Barium (Ba), Beryllium (Be), Bismuth(Bi), Boron (B), Bromine (Br), Cadmium (Cd), Cerium (Ce), Cesium (Cs),Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Dysprosium (Dy), Erbium (Er), Europium (Eu),Fluorine (F), Gadolinium (Gd), Gallium (Ga), Germanium (Ge), Gold (Au),Hafnium (Hf), Holmium (Ho), Indium (In), Lanthanum (La), Lutetium (Lu),Lithium (Li), Mercury (Hg), Molybdenum (Mo), Neodymium (Nd), Nickel(Ni), Niobium (Nb), Platinum (Pt), Praseodymium (Pr), Rhodium (Rh),Ruthenium (Ru), Samarium (Sm), Scandium (Sc), Selenium (Se), Silicon(Si), Silver (Ag), Strontium (Sr), Sulfur (S), Tellurium (Te), Terbium(Tb), Thallium (Tl), Thorium (Th), Thulium (Tm), Tin (Sn), Titanium(Ti), Tungsten (W), Vanadium (V), Ytterbium (Yb), Yttrium (Y), andZirconium (Zr).

Compositions may also include one or more of an activator composition, acarbon skeleton energy component, macronutrients, micronutrients,vitamin cofactors, a complexing agent, an ionophore. In certaininstances, the composition further includes wood, such as wood shavingdust or pine resin.

In certain embodiments, compositions are baled or pelletized. In theseembodiments, the composition may further include a binder, such ascalcium lignosulfate. For example, compositions of the invention are, incertain instances, pelletized compositions having a cellulose nutrientcomponent, a microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, a sourceof phosphorus, exotic micronutrients, a binder and an activatorcomposition. In other instances, compositions are pelletizedcompositions having a cellulose nutrient component, a microbial blendcomponent, a source of nitrogen, a source of phosphorus, exoticmicronutrients, binder, wood and an activator composition. In yet otherinstances, compositions are pelletized compositions having a cellulosenutrient component, a microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, asource of phosphorus, exotic micronutrients, a binder, an activatorcomposition and one or more of a carbon skeleton energy component,macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamin cofactors, a complexing agent,an ionophore. In still other instances, compositions are pelletizedcompositions having a cellulose nutrient component, a microbial blendcomponent, a source of nitrogen, a source of phosphorus, exoticmicronutrients, binder, wood, an activator composition and one or moreof a carbon skeleton energy component, macronutrients, micronutrients,vitamin cofactors, a complexing agent, an ionophore.

In embodiments of the present invention, the subject compositions aresynergistically effective combinations of a cellulose nutrientcomponent, a microblend component, a source of nitrogen, a source ofphosphorus and exotic micronutrients. The term “synergisticallyeffective” means that compositions having a cellulose nutrientcomponent, a microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, a sourceof phosphorus and exotic micronutrients produces an effect (i.e.,enhances soil fertilization and remediation) which is greater than wouldbe achieved by the sum of each individual component. For example, acomposition having a cellulose nutrient component, a microbial blendcomponent, a source of nitrogen, a source of phosphorus and exoticmicronutrients produces an effect that is 1% greater or more than wouldbe achieved by the sum of the components of the composition,individually, such as 5% greater or more, such as 10% greater or more,such as 20% greater or more, such as 30% greater or more, such as 40%greater or more, such as 50% greater or more, such as 60% greater ormore, such as 70% greater or more, such as 80% greater or more, such as90% greater and including 100% greater or more. In certain instances,synergistic combinations of the present invention produce an effectwhich is 2-fold or greater, such as 5-fold or greater, such as 10-foldor greater and including 25-fold or greater than would be achieved bythe sum of each component of the composition individually.

Aspects of the invention also include methods for using the subjectcompositions to fertilize and remediate soil. In some embodiments,methods include administering the composition to the top soil by ahand-held applicator or by ground-level mechanical machinery. In otherembodiments, methods include administering the composition to the topsoil by aircraft (e.g., helicopter, airplane). In yet other embodiments,methods include mixing the subject compositions with soil and applyingthe composition-soil mixture to the soil.

Aspects of the invention also include methods for evaluating the effectof the composition on the microbial population in the soil. In someembodiments, methods include administering the subject compositions tothe soil and evaluating the population of microbial species present inthe soil contacted with the subject compositions. In certain instances,evaluating the population of microbial species present in the soilcontacted with the subject composition includes detecting metabolicactivity of microbial species in the soil. For example, detectingmetabolic activity may include subjecting a soil sample contacted withthe subject composition to a formazan test. In certain embodiments,methods also include evaluating the overall health of one or more plantsin the soil contacted with the subject compositions.

Aspects of the invention also include methods for preparing pelletizedfertilizer compositions. In some embodiments, the methods includeprocessing a cellulose nutrient component into a powder; contacting thepowdered cellulose nutrient composition with a microbial blendcomponent, a source of nitrogen, a source of phosphorus and exoticmicronutrients to produce a fertilizer precursor composition andpelletizing the fertilizer precursor composition with a binder toproduce fertilizer pellets. In certain instances, methods also includepelletizing the fertilizer precursor composition with wood, such as woodshaving dust or pine resin.

Applications for the subject composition include increasing themicrobial activity of the soil, remediating soil containing one or moreplant toxic compounds present in the soil, improving the overallnutrient content of the soil, reducing the overall negative effects ofplant parasitic species present in the soil, increasing the overallproduction of crops present in the soil contacted with the subjectcomposition, and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention include compositions for fertilizing andremediating soil. Compositions according to certain embodiments includea cellulose nutrient component, a microbial blend component, a source ofnitrogen, a source of phosphorus and exotic micronutrients. Methods forusing compositions of the invention to fertilize and remediate soil andkits having one or more of the subject compositions are also described.

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to particular embodimentsdescribed, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understoodthat the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, sincethe scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appendedclaims.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lowerlimits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in thesmaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject toany specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the statedrange includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either orboth of those included limits are also included in the invention.

Certain ranges are presented herein with numerical values being precededby the term “about.” The term “about” is used herein to provide literalsupport for the exact number that it precedes, as well as a number thatis near to or approximately the number that the term precedes. Indetermining whether a number is near to or approximately a specificallyrecited number, the near or approximating unrecited number may be anumber which, in the context in which it is presented, provides thesubstantial equivalent of the specifically recited number.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the present invention, representativeillustrative methods and materials are now described.

All publications and patents cited in this specification are hereinincorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patentwere specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated byreference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose anddescribe the methods and/or materials in connection with which thepublications are cited. The citation of any publication is for itsdisclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as anadmission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate suchpublication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates ofpublication provided may be different from the actual publication dateswhich may need to be independently confirmed.

It is noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claimsmay be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statementis intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusiveterminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with therecitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading thisdisclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustratedherein has discrete components and features which may be readilyseparated from or combined with the features of any of the other severalembodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentinvention. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of eventsrecited or in any other order which is logically possible.

As reviewed above, the present invention provides compositions forfertilizing and remediating soil. In further describing embodiments ofthe invention, compositions having a cellulose nutrient component, amicrobial blend component, a source of nitrogen, a source of phosphorusand exotic micronutrients are first reviewed in greater detail. Next,methods for using the subject compositions to remediate and fertilizesoil and methods for evaluating the effect of the subject composition onsoil microbial activity and the overall health of the subject plantspresent in the soil contacted with the subject compositions aredescribed. Kits including one or more of the subject compositions arealso described.

Compositions for Fertilizing and Remediating Soil

As summarized above, the subject invention provides compositions forfertilizing and remediating soil. The term “fertilizing” is used hereinin its conventional sense to refer to providing or supplementingessential nutrients in the soil. Fertilizing may be passive, such aswhere the subject compositions simply provide a source of essentialnutrients to the soil. Alternatively, fertilizing may be active, such aswhere the subject composition initiates, catalyzes or otherwisefacilitates uptake of the essential nutrients by plants in the soil. Incertain embodiments, fertilizing the soil may be realized by anenhancement in the overall health of plants in soil contacted with thesubject composition, where in some instances the desired enhancementultimately results in greater production of some desirable parameter,such as for example the amount of harvestable crop produced.

For example, in some embodiments enhanced overall health of plants insoil treated with compositions of interest includes an increased amountof harvested crop by 10% or more, such as 25% or more, such as 50% ormore, such as 75% or more and including increasing the amount ofharvested crop by 100% or more. For example, the increased amount ofharvested crop may range from 10% to 100%, such as from 25% to 75% andincluding from 30% to 60%. In other instances, compositions of interestmay increase harvested crop production by 1.5-fold or greater, such as2-fold or greater, such as 2.5-fold or greater, such as 3-fold orgreater, such as 5-fold or greater and including increasing harvestedcrop by 10-fold or greater. For example, the increased harvested cropmay range from 1.5-fold to 25-fold, such as from 2-fold to 20-fold, suchas from 3-fold to 18-fold and including from 5-fold to 15-fold. Theabove values are provided in comparison to a suitable control.

In certain instances, where the harvested crops are fruits or nuts,compositions for fertilizing soil provided by the invention may increasethe amount of crop produced by 250 pounds per acre or more, such as 500pounds per acre or more, such as 1000 pounds per acre or more, such as1500 pounds per acre or more and including by 2000 pounds per acre ormore, e.g., as compared to suitable control or reference (such where thesubject compositions are not employed but all other parameters are thesame). For example the harvested crop may be increased from 250 poundsto 5000 pounds, such as from 500 pounds to 4500 pounds, such as from 750pounds to 4000 pounds and including from 1000 pounds to 3000 pounds. Theabove values are provided in comparison to a suitable control.

In other embodiments, enhanced overall health of the subject plants byfertilizing soil with compositions of interest is realized by animprovement in the quality of harvested crops (e.g., color, taste,duration of shelf life, etc.) as compared to harvested crops planted insoil not treated with the subject compositions.

Aspects of the invention also include compositions for remediating soil.The term “remediating” is used herein in its conventional sense to referto reducing the overall negative effect of undesirable organic orinorganic contaminants in the soil on plants such that the plantsexperience a decreased amount of negative effects by the undesirableorganic or inorganic contaminants as compared to plants in soil nottreated with the subject composition. The overall negative effect byundesirable organic or inorganic contaminants may be reduced, such as byreducing the overall amount of undesirable organic or inorganiccontaminants in the soil or by reducing the severity or extent ofnegative effects of the undesirable organic or inorganic contaminants(i.e., the amount of contaminants remain unchanged but initiate fewerdetrimental effects).

As described in greater detail below, in some instances the subjectcompositions remediate soil by reducing or eliminating the overallnegative effect of undesirable contaminants in the soil. In someembodiments, a reduction in the overall negative effect of undesirablecontaminants may be a reduced severity or extent of damage by soil-bornepathogens. Compositions of the invention may, in certain instances,reduce the severity or extent of damage by soil-borne pathogens bydecreasing the proliferation or density of soil-borne pathogens presentin soil contacted with the subject compositions.

In other embodiments, a reduction in the overall negative effect ofundesirable contaminants may be eliminating toxic organic or inorganiccompounds present in the soil. Compositions may in some embodiments,eliminate toxic organic or inorganic compounds by oxidative-reductionreactions to decompose or degrade toxic compounds present in the soil.In other embodiments, compositions of interest eliminate toxic organicor inorganic compounds by enzymatic degradation. In yet otherembodiments, compositions eliminate toxic organic or inorganic compoundsthrough bioremediation by the one or more species present in themicrobial blend component.

In embodiments of the present invention, the subject compositions aresynergistically effective combinations of a cellulose nutrientcomponent, a microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, a sourceof phosphorus and exotic micronutrients. The term “synergisticallyeffective” means that compositions having a combination of a cellulosenutrient component, a microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, asource of phosphorus and exotic micronutrients produces an effect (i.e.,enhances soil fertilization and remediation) which is greater than wouldbe achieved by the sum of each individual component. For example, insome instances, the subject compositions produce an effect which isgreater than would be achieved by the sum of individually applying acomposition having a cellulose nutrient component and a compositionhaving a microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, a source ofphosphorus and exotic micronutrients. In other instances, the subjectcompositions produce an effect which is greater than would be achievedby the sum of individually applying a composition having a microbialblend component and a composition having a cellulose nutrient component,a source of nitrogen, a source of phosphorus and exotic micronutrients.In yet other instances, the subject compositions produce an effect whichis greater than would be achieved by the sum of individually applying acomposition having a cellulose nutrient component and a microbial blendcomponent and a composition having a source of nitrogen, a source ofphosphorus and exotic micronutrients.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, a composition having acellulose nutrient component, a microbial blend component, a source ofnitrogen, a source of phosphorus and exotic micronutrients produces aneffect that is 1% greater or more than would be achieved by the sum ofthe components of the composition, individually, such as 5% greater ormore, such as 10% greater or more, such as 20% greater or more, such as30% greater or more, such as 40% greater or more, such as 50% greater ormore, such as 60% greater or more, such as 70% greater or more, such as80% greater or more, such as 90% greater and including 100% greater ormore. In certain instances, synergistic combinations of the presentinvention produce an effect which is 2-fold or greater, such as 5-foldor greater, such as 10-fold or greater and including 25-fold or greaterthan would be achieved by the sum of each component of the compositionindividually.

The synergistic effect may be realized, in certain embodiments, byincreased soil fertilization as compared soil fertilization achieved bythe sum of each component, individually. As discussed above, enhancedfertilization may be realized by greater production of some desirableparameter, such as for example the amount of harvestable crop produced.Likewise, the synergistic effect may be realized, in some embodiments,by increased soil remediation as compared to soil remediation by the sumof each component, individually. For example, increased soil remediationmay be realized by a reduced overall negative effect of undesirableorganic or inorganic contaminants in the soil on plants, such as byreducing the overall amount of undesirable organic or inorganiccontaminants in the soil or by reducing the severity or extent ofnegative effects of the undesirable organic or inorganic contaminants.

In certain embodiments, the subject compositions are pelletized. Theterm “pelletized” is used herein in its conventional sense to refer tothe process of compressing, molding, or otherwise shaping a compositionhaving one or more components into the shape of pellet. Pelletizedcompositions of interest may include any combination of components, asdescribed in greater detail below. For example, compositions of theinvention are, in certain instances, pelletized compositions having acellulose nutrient component, a microbial blend component, a source ofnitrogen, a source of phosphorus, exotic micronutrients, a binder and anactivator composition. In other instances, compositions are pelletizedcompositions having a cellulose nutrient component, a microbial blendcomponent, a source of nitrogen, a source of phosphorus, exoticmicronutrients, binder, wood and an activator composition. In yet otherinstances, compositions are pelletized compositions having a cellulosenutrient component, a microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, asource of phosphorus, exotic micronutrients, a binder, an activatorcomposition and one or more of a carbon skeleton energy component,macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamin cofactors, a complexing agent,an ionophore. In still other instances, compositions are pelletizedcompositions having a cellulose nutrient component, a microbial blendcomponent, a source of nitrogen, a source of phosphorus, exoticmicronutrients, binder, wood, an activator composition and one or moreof a carbon skeleton energy component, macronutrients, micronutrients,vitamin cofactors, a complexing agent, an ionophore.

Pelletized compositions may take any desired shape, such as a disc,oval, half-circle, crescent-shaped, start shaped, square, triangle,rhomboid, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, rectangle or othersuitable polygon or may take the shape of a sphere, tablet, capsule,cube, cone, half sphere, star, triangular prism, rectangular prism,hexagonal prism or other suitable polyhedron. In certain embodiments,pelletized compositions of interest are spheroidal. In otherembodiments, pelletized compositions are tablets. In yet otherembodiments, pelletized compositions are cylindrical.

The size of pelletized compositions may also vary, in embodiments havinga surface area which is 0.01 cm² or more, such as 0.05 cm² or more, suchas 0.1 cm² or more, such as 0.5 cm² or more, such as 1 cm² or more, suchas 2.5 cm² or more, such as 5 cm² or more, such as 7.5 cm² or more, suchas 10 cm² or more, such as 12.5 cm² or more, such as 25 cm² or more andincluding 50 cm² or more. For example, the surface area of the subjectpelletized composition may range from 0.01 cm² to 100 cm², such as 0.05cm² to 90 cm², such as 0.1 cm² to 75 cm², such as 0.5 cm² to 50 cm²,such as 0.75 cm² to 25 cm² and including 1 cm² to 10 cm². The volume ofpelletized compositions of interest range from 0.01 cm³ or more, such as0.05 cm³ or more, such as 0.1 cm³ or more, such as 0.5 cm³ or more, suchas 1 cm³ or more, such as 2.5 cm³ or more, such as 5 cm³ or more, suchas 7.5 cm³ or more, such as 10 cm³ or more, such as 12.5 cm³ or more,such as 25 cm³ or more and including 50 cm³ or more. For example, thevolume of the subject pelletized composition may range from 0.01 cm³ to100 cm³, such as 0.05 cm³ to 90 cm³, such as 0.1 cm³ to 75 cm³, such as0.5 cm³ to 50 cm³, such as 0.75 cm³ to 25 cm³ and including 1 cm³ to 10cm³.

In certain embodiments, compositions of interest are dry. By “dry” ismeant that the subject compositions contain little to no water.Accordingly, in these embodiments compositions of interest areformulations which include 1% w/w water or less, such as 0.5% w/w wateror less, such as 0.25% w/w water or less, such as 0.1% w/w water orless, such as 0.05% w/w water or less, such as 0.01% w/w water or lessand including 0.001% w/w water or less. As such, compositions of theinvention are solid compositions and may be provided in granular orpowder form. Depending on the type of target plants and whether thecomposition will be applied to the foliage or soil, the size ofparticles of the compositions varies ranging from 0.01 μm to 100 μm,such as from 0.1 μm to 75 μm, such as from 1 μm to 50 μm, such as from2.5 μm to 25 μm and including from 5 μm to 10 μm. In certainembodiments, compositions include granules which all have the same size(i.e., are monodisperse or uniform). In other embodiments, compositionsinclude granules which have varying sizes (i.e., are polydisperse).

As summarized above, compositions of interest are compositions forfertilizing and remediating soil and include a cellulose nutrientcomponent, a microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, a sourceof phosphorus and exotic micronutrients. The subject compositions mayalso include one or more of a carbon skeleton energy component,macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamin cofactors, a complexing agent,an ionophore, a binder and an activator composition. The compositionsare not naturally occurring, i.e., they are synthetic or man-made. Eachof the different components of the compositions is now reviewed ingreater detail. The amount of each component may vary in the subjectcompositions depending on the condition of the soil, geographical areaand environmental conditions (e.g., wind conditions, precipitation,etc.) or application method employed. As such, the amounts of eachcomponent may be varied as desired, such as by increasing or reducingthe amount or ratio of a particular component in the composition priorto application.

Cellulose Nutrient Component

In embodiments of the invention, compositions of interest include acellulose nutrient component. The term “cellulose” is used herein in itsconventional sense to refer to the polysaccharide composed of a linearor branched chain of β(1→4) linked D-glucose units bound together byglycosidic linkages, generally found as a structural component ofprimary cell walls of green plants, algae and oomycetes. Cellulosenutrient components of interest include both cellulose-containingcompounds as well as hemicellulose-containing compounds. Depending onthe type of target soil and accompanying microbial blend composition (asdescribed in greater detail below), cellulose in the subject cellulosenutrient component may have any degree or polymerization (i.e.,long-chain or short chain), such as for example cellulose having from 50glucose monomers to 10,000 or more glucose monomers, such as 100 to 9000glucose monomers, such as 150 to 5000 glucose monomers, such as 200 to2500 glucose monomers and including from 400 to 1750 glucose monomers.As such, the molecular weight of cellulose in the subject cellulosenutrient composition may range, such as from 0.001 kDa to 10⁶ kDa, suchas from 0.01 kDa to 10⁵ kDa, such as from 0.1 kDa to 10⁴ kDa andincluding from 1 kDa to 10³ kDa.

In some instances, the cellulose nutrient component includes planttissue, such as tissue from plants of the grass family, including butnot limited to, rice hulls, rice straw, wheat straw, sorghum sudanstraw, barley straw, rye straw, oat straw, rye straw, corn straw,alfalfa hay, bentgrass hay, softwood sawdust, hardwood sawdust,sunflower seed shells, almond hulls, vetch hay, foxtail grass hay,beardgrass hay, whiskey grass hay, bluestem hay, signal grass, runninggrass, buffelgrass, lovegrass, bowgrass, hindigrass, bluegrass,crabgrass, couchgrass, barnyard grass, antelopegrass, cupgrass,whipgrass, cogongrass, centipedegrass, sesagrass, armgrass, panicgrass,witchgrass, sweetgrass, millet, torpedograss, ticklegrass, switchgrass,buffalograss, dallisgrass, paspalum, knotgrass, vaseygrass, pennisetum,itchgrass, pigeongrass, bristlegrass, Saint Augustine grass,tasselgrass, goatgrass, quackgrass, slender foxtail, windgrass, DowneyBrome, fingergrass, rhodesgrass, bermudagrass, crowfoot grass,goosegrass, stinkgrass, velvetgrass, Hares Tall grass, canarygrass,smutgrass, wild garlic, nutsedge, clover, Johnsongrass, and walnutshells.

One or more of the aforementioned plant tissue may be used, as desired,such as two or more, such as three or more, such as four or more, suchas five or more and including ten or more. Where cellulose nutrientcomponents of interest include two or more different plant tissues, eachtype of plant tissue may be from 1% or more by weight of the totalcellulose nutrient component, such as 5% or more by weight, such as 10%or more by weight, such as 15% or more by weight, such as 20% or more byweight and including 25% or more by weight. For example, where thecellulose nutrient component includes two or more different planttissues, each plant tissue may range from 1% by weight to 99% by weight,such as from 5% by weight to 95% by weight, such as from 10% by weightto 90% by weight, such as from 15% by weight to 85% by weight, such asfrom 20% by weight to 80% by weight and including from 25% by weight to75% by weight.

In embodiments, the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the cellulosenutrient component varies depending on type of plant species employed inthe cellulose nutrient composition. For example, the ratio of carbon tonitrogen in the cellulose nutrient may range from 10:1 to 90:1, such asfrom 15:1 to 85:1, such as from 20:1 to 80:1, such as from 25:1 to 75:1,such as from 30:1 to 70:1, such as from 35:1 to 65:1 and including from40:1 to 60:1.

The cellulose nutrient component may be dry or green, as desired. By“dry” is meant that the plant tissue in the cellulose nutrient componentis processed (e.g., under heat or ambient conditions) to remove water.Accordingly, in these embodiments the plant tissue in the cellulosenutrient component will include 1% w/w water or less, such as 0.5% w/wwater or less, such as 0.25% w/w water or less, such as 0.1% w/w wateror less, such as 0.05% w/w water or less, such as 0.01% w/w water orless and including 0.001% w/w water or less. By “green” is meant thatthe plant tissue is used in its natural state where water naturallypresent in the plant tissue is not removed prior to employing in thesubject compositions.

The amount of the cellulose nutrient component in the subjectcompositions may vary. In some embodiments, the weight percent tocellulose nutrient component is 25% w/w or more, such as 30% w/w ormore, such as 40% w/w or more, such as 50% w/w or more, such as 60% w/wor more, such as 70% w/w or more, such as 80% w/w or more, such as 90%w/w or more and including 95% w/w or more. For example, the weightpercent of cellulose nutrient component may range from 25% w/w to 95%w/w, such as from 30% w/w to 90% w/w, such as from 35% w/w to 85% w/w,such as from 40% w/w to 80% w/w and including from 50% w/w to 70% w/w.

Microbial Blend Component

Compositions of interest also include a microbial blend component. Theterm “microbial” is used herein in its conventional sense to refer tomicroorganisms that can grow and proliferate in soil and may include butare not limited to bacteria and fungal species. In embodiments of thepresent invention, microbial blend species are capable of digesting andproliferating on the cellulose nutrient component and may be one or moreof: antagonistic against a plurality of soil-borne pathogens,non-pathogenic towards plants and animals, readily grow and proliferatein soil and are suitably tolerant in elevated temperatures.

In embodiments, the microbial blend component may include one or moremicrobial species, such as one or more bacterial species, one or morefungal species or a combination thereof. For example, the microbialblend component may include two or more microbial species, such as threeor more microbial species, such as five or more microbial species andincluding ten or more microbial species.

In some embodiments, the microbial blend component may include five ormore distinct bacterial species. Bacterial species of interest mayinclude, but are not limited to, bacterial species such as Bacillussubtilis; Bacillus thuringiensis; Bacillus cereus; Bacillus megaterium;Bacillus penetrans; Arthrobacter paraffineus; and Pseudomonasfluorescens. For example, the microbial blend component may includerhizobacteria.

In other embodiments, the microbial blend component may have two or moredistinct fungal species, including but not limited to fungal speciessuch as Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichodermapolysporum, Trichoderma hamatum, Trichoderma koningii, Gliocladiumvirens, Gieocladium roseum, Gliocladium catenulatum, Penicilliumoxalicum, Penicillium lilacinum, Penicillium nigricans, Penicilliumchrysogenum and Penicillium frequentens.

Suitable microbial blends may also include, but are not limited to,those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,446 filed Oct. 23, 2000, thedisclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.In certain instances, the microbial blend may be a composition that isor is substantially the same as, a microbial inoculant commerciallyavailable under the trademark IOTA to Fusion 360 of Turlock, Calif.

In some embodiments, the microbial blend component includes one or moresoil-borne pathogen antagonists. By “soil-borne pathogen antagonist” ismeant the group of microorganisms which are active against pathogensthat grow and proliferate in soil and may include microorganisms whichare capable of inhibiting growth or reproduction of the soil-bornepathogens or otherwise preventing proliferation of the pathogen. In someembodiments, the microbial blend component includes microorganismspecies which are antagonistic to one or more of Verticillium dahlia,Monilochaetes infuscans, Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani,Cylindrocarpon obtusisporum, Sclerotinia scierotiorum, Pythiumaphanidermatum, Sclerotinia minor, Phytophthora megasperma, Sclerotiumrofsii, Phymatotrichum omnivorum and Botrytis cinerea, among othersoil-borne pathogen species. For example, microorganisms in themicrobial blend component may be antagonistic to two or more of theaforementioned soil-borne pathogen species, such as three or more, suchas four or more and including five or more of the aforementionedsoil-borne pathogen species.

In some instances, the microbial blend component includes one or moreplant parasitic nematode antagonists. The term “plant parasitic nematodeantagonist” as used herein refers to microorganisms which are activeagainst nematodes and may include growth inhibitors, reproductiveinhibitors, nematotoxicants. As such, the microbial blend componentaccording to certain embodiments may antagonize plant parasiticnematodes by inhibiting reproduction of new plant parasitic nematodes,killing plant parasitic nematodes, inhibiting or retarding the growth ofexisting plant parasitic nematodes or combinations thereof.

In certain embodiments, the microbial blend component includes a carriermedium, such as a solid or liquid carrier medium. Liquid carrier mediumsof interest include aqueous mediums with or without additionalcomponents such as glycerin, alcohol, polymers, organic acids, microbialby-products such as amino acids, complex carbohydrates, macronutrients,micronutrients, vitamins & cofactors, sterols, proteins, gums (e.g. guargum, xanthan gum), liquid fertilizers, liquid substrates. Solid carriermediums of interest include, but are not limited to, solid media, e.g.,inactivated seed, viable seed, prilled fertilizer, pelleted fertilizer,potting soil, compost, soybean or related meal, greenwaste and relatedorganic waste, manure, fruit culls, talcum, dry mineral preparations,etc. and the like.

The amount of the microbial blend component in the subject compositionsmay vary. When present in a liquid medium, the total concentration ofmicrobial species in the subject compositions may be about 1×10⁵ cfu/mlor more, such as 1×10⁶ cfu/ml or more, such as 1×10⁷ cfu/ml or more,such as 1×10⁸ cfu/ml or more, such as 1×10⁹ cfu/ml or more and including1×10¹² cfu/ml or more. For example, the total concentration of microbialspecies in the subject compositions may range from 1×10⁵ cfu/ml to1×10¹⁵ cfu/ml, such as from 1×10⁶ cfu/ml to 1×10¹⁴ cfu/ml, such as from1×10⁷ cfu/ml to 1×10¹³ cfu/ml, such as from 1×10⁸ cfu/ml to 1×10¹²cfu/ml and including from 1×10⁹ cfu/ml to 1×10¹¹ cfu/ml. When combinedin a solid medium, the total number of microbial species in the subjectcompositions may be 1×10³ or more, such as 1×10⁴ or more, such as 1×10⁵or more, such as 1×10⁶ or more, such as 1×10⁷ or more, such as 1×10⁸ ormore, such as 1×10⁹ or more and including 1×10¹² or more. For example,the total number of microbial species in the subject compositions mayrange from 1×10² to 1×10¹², such as from 1×10³ to 1×10¹¹, such as from1×10⁴ to 1×10¹⁰, such as from 1×10⁵ to 1×10⁹ and including from 1×10⁶ to1×10⁸.

In certain embodiments, the microbial blend component further includesan activator for activating proliferation of certain microbes. Forexample, the microbial blend component may include a mixture of complexcarbohydrates, variable chain alcohols, catalysts, polycarboxylic acids,amino acids and proteins sufficient to activate rapid proliferation ofcertain microbes such as saprophytes, symbionts or competitors of plantpathogens (e.g., plant parasitic nematodes). In these embodiments, theamount of the activator in the microbial blend component ranges fromabout 1% to 35% w/w, such as 2% to 30% w/w, such as 5% to 25% w/w, suchas 7% to 20% w/w and including 10% to 15% w/w. In certain instances, theactivator may be a composition that is or is substantially the same as,a mixture commercially available under the trademark TILTH to Fusion 360of Turlock, Calif.

Source of Nitrogen

Compositions of interest also include a source of nitrogen. Sources ofnitrogen that find use in the subject compositions are nitrogencontaining compounds which provide a readily assimilable source ofnitrogen. In some embodiments, the nitrogen source is an inorganicsource of nitrogen. In certain instances, the source of nitrogen ischemical nitrogen source. For example, chemical nitrogen sources myinclude, but are not limited to, nitrate nitrogen sources (e.g., calciumammonium nitrates, ammonium nitrates, calcium nitrate, sodium nitrate,potassium nitrate, etc.) and ammonium nitrogen sources (e.g., anhydrousammonia, urea, ammonium nitrate, nitrogen solutions such asurea-ammonium nitrate-water, ammonium sulfate, diammonium phosphate,monoammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium carbonate,etc.)

In embodiments of the invention, the amount of the nitrogen sourcecomponent in the composition ranges from about 5% to 75% w/w, such as10% to 60% w/w, such as 15% to 50% w/w, such as 20% to 40% w/w andincluding 25% to 35% w/w.

The source of nitrogen may be a single nitrogen containing compound or acombination of two or more different nitrogen containing compounds. Forexample, in some embodiments compositions include two or more nitrogencontaining compounds, such as where the subject compositions includethree or more nitrogen containing compounds, such as 4 or more nitrogencontaining compounds and including 5 or more nitrogen containingcompounds. Where the source of nitrogen includes two more nitrogencontaining compounds, the percent by weight of each nitrogen containingcompound in compositions of interest may vary, ranging from 5% to 75%w/w, such as 10% to 60% w/w, such as 15% to 50% w/w, such as 20% to 40%w/w and including 25% to 35% w/w. In certain embodiments, the source ofnitrogen is a single nitrogen containing compound.

Source of Phosphorus

Compositions of interest also include a source of phosphorus. Sources ofphosphorus that find use in the subject compositions are phosphoruscontaining compounds which provide a readily assimilable source ofphosphorus. In some embodiments, the phosphorus source is a mineralsource of phosphorus. For example, mineral phosphorus sources myinclude, but are not limited to, slag phosphate (P₂O₅), superphosphate,concentrated superphosphate, triple superphosphate, dicalcium phosphate,monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate aswell as rock phosphate, such as mineral apatites (Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH,F,Cl),francolite (Ca_(10-x-y)Na_(x)(PO₄)_(6-z))(CO₃)₂F_(0.4)F₂),fluoro-apatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃F), hydroxyl-apatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH), among othersources of mineral phosphorus.

In embodiments of the invention, the amount of the phosphorus sourcecomponent in the composition ranges from about 5% to 75% w/w, such as10% to 60% w/w, such as 15% to 50% w/w, such as 20% to 40% w/w andincluding 25% to 35% w/w.

The source of nitrogen may be a single phosphorus containing compound ora combination of two or more different phosphorus containing compounds.For example, in some embodiments compositions include two or morephosphorus containing compounds, such as where the subject compositionsinclude three or more phosphorus containing compounds, such as 4 or morephosphorus containing compounds and including 5 or more phosphoruscontaining compounds. Where the source of phosphorus includes two morephosphorus containing compounds, the percent by weight of eachphosphorus containing compound in compositions of interest may vary,ranging from 5% to 75% w/w, such as 10% to 60% w/w, such as 15% to 50%w/w, such as 20% to 40% w/w and including 25% to 35% w/w. In certainembodiments, the source of phosphorus is a single phosphorus containingcompound.

Exotic Micronutrient Component

Exotic micronutrients of the subject compositions include a set orcollection of non-traditional micronutrients, where the non-traditionalmicronutrients may be ones that provide ionic elements found in lowamounts, e.g., low parts per million to parts per billion range, invirgin soils (i.e., soils that have not been used previously foragriculture). For example, non-traditional micronutrients may bemicronutrients that promote the electrostatic bonding of amino acidchains. As such, powder or fine forms of oxidized coal, oxidizedbituminous material, ironite, volcanic rock, shale, fossilized peat,moss, kelp or seaweed find use in the subject compositions to provide asource of one or more exotic micronutrients.

In some embodiments, compositions of interest may include 5 or moredistinct exotic micronutrient ionic elements, such as 10 or moredistinct exotic micronutrient ionic elements, such as 20 or moredistinct exotic micronutrient ionic elements, such as 30 or moredistinct exotic micronutrient ionic elements, such as 40 or moredistinct exotic micronutrient ionic elements and including 50 or moredistinct exotic micronutrient ionic elements.

Exotic micronutrient ionic elements of interest include, but are notlimited to: Aluminum (Al), Antimony (Sb), Barium (Ba), Beryllium (Be),Bismuth (Bi), Boron (B), Bromine (Br), Cadmium (Cd), Cerium (Ce), Cesium(Cs), Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Dysprosium (Dy), Erbium (Er), Europium(Eu), Fluorine (F), Gadolinium (Gd), Gallium (Ga), Germanium (Ge), Gold(Au), Hafnium (Hf), Holmium (Ho), Indium (In), Lanthanum (La), Lutetium(Lu), Lithium (Li), Mercury (Hg), Molybdenum (Mo), Neodymium (Nd),Nickel (Ni), Niobium (Nb), Platinum (Pt), Praseodymium (Pr), Rhodium(Rh), Ruthenium (Ru), Samarium (Sm), Scandium (Sc), Selenium (Se),Silica (Si), Silver (Ag), Strontium (Sr), Sulfur (S), Tellurium (Te),Terbium (Tb), Thallium (Tl), Thorium (Th), Thulium (Tm), Tin (Sn),Titanium (Ti), Tungsten (W), Vanadium (V), Ytterbium (Yb), Yttrium (Y),and Zirconium (Zr).

Exotic micronutrients may be present in the form of salts which providefor the desired ionic elements. Examples of sources salts are summarizedin Table 1. The below list of sources of the exotic are merelyrepresentative.

TABLE 1 Exotic Micronutrient Source: Source: Source: Source: Source:Element Symbol Nitrates Chlorides Sulfides Oxides Misc. Europium EuEu(NO₃)₃ EuCl₃ Eu₂ Eu(OH)₃ (SO₄)₃ Eu₂O₃ Fluorine F FNO₃ F₂O C₂H₄FNO:Fluoroacetamide C₂H₃FO₂: Fluoroacetic Acid ClFO₄: Perchlorate GadoliniumGd Gd(NO₃)₃ GdCl₃ Gd₂(SO₄)₃ Gd(OH)₃ Gd₂O₃ Gallium Ga Ga(NO₃)₃ GaCl₃ Ga₂Ga(OH)₃ (SO₄)₃ Ga₂O₃ Germanium Ge Cl₂Ge GeO₂ F₄Ge: Tetrafluoride Cl₄GeGold Au AuCl Au₂S Au₂O CAuN: Monocyanide AuI: Monoiodide Hafnium HfHfCl₄ Hf(SO₄) HfO₂ Holmium Ho HoCl₃ Ho₂O₃ HoB₃: Bromide Hol₃: IodideIndium In Cl₃In In₂O₁₂S₃ In₂O₃ InP: Phosphide AsIn: Arsenide LanthanumLa La(NO₃)₃ LaCl₃ La₂ La(OH)₃ (SO₄)₃ La₂O₃ Lithium Li LiNO₃ ClLi Li₂O₄SHLiO Li₂O Lutetium Lu LuCl₃ Lu₂ Lu₂O₃ (SO₄)₃ Neodymium Nd Nd(NO₃)₃ NdCl₃Nd₂ Nd(OH)₃ (SO₄)₃ Nd₂O₃ Nickel Ni N₂NiO₆ Cl₂Ni NiO₄S H₂NiO₂ Ni₂O₃Niobium Nb Cl₅Nb Nb₂O₅ F₄Nb Pentafluoride F₇K₂NbO OxypenafluoridePlatinum Pt na na na na Praseodymium Pr PrCl₃ Pr₂(SO₄)₃ Pr(OH)₃ PrO₂Pr₂O₃ Rhodium Rh C₄Cl₂O₄Rh₂ Cl₃Rh Ruthenium Ru Cl₃Ru O₄Ru Cl₆H₄₂N₁₄ O₂RuSamarium Sm SmCl₂ Sm₂ Sm(OH)₃ SmCl₃ (SO₄)₃ Sm₂O₃ Scandium Sc Sc(NO₃)₃ScCl₃ Sc₂ Sc(OH)₃ (SO₄)₃ O₃Sc₂ Silicon Si Cl₄Si S₂Si: Disulfide OSiF₄Si: Tetrafluoride O₂Si CSi: Carbide Br₄Si: Tetrabromide Silver AgAgNO₂ AgCl Ag₂S AgO AgI: Iodide Ag(NO₃)₃ AgClO₄ Ag₂O₄S Ag₂O AgF:Fluoride C₂Ag₂O₄ Strontium Sr N₂O₆Sr Cl₂Sr O₄SSr OSr F₂Sr: FlorideCl₂O₆Sr O₂Sr H₂O₂Sr Sulfur S Cl₂S₂ O₂S H₂O₄S: Sulfuric Cl₂O₂S O₃S AcidSI: Iodide F₄S: Tetrafluoride Tellurium Te Cl₂Te O₂Te Br₂Te:Tetrabromide Cl₄Te F₆Te: Tetrafluoride H₂O₃Te: Telluric Acid Terbium TbTb(NO₃)₃ TbCl₃6H₂O O₃Tb₂ Tb₄O₇ Thallium Tl NO₃Tl Cl₃Tl STl₂ HOTlC₂H₃O₂Tl: Acetate O₄STl₂ OTl₂ Thorium Th N₄O₁₂Th Cl₄Th O₈S₂Th O₂Th I₄Th:Iodide Thulium Tm Tm TmCl₃•7H₂O Tm₂(SO₄)₃•8H₂O Tm(OH)₃ Tm₂(C₂O₄)₃•6H₂O:(NO₃)₃ O₃Tm₂ OOxalate hexahydrate Tin Sn SnO Sn₄P₃: Phosphides TitaniumTi C₁₀ O₅STi O₂Ti F₄Ti: Tetrafluoride H₁₀Cl₂Ti O₁₂S₃Ti₂ H₂Ti: HydrideCl₂Ti Cl₃Ti Cl₄Ti Tungsten W O₃W F₆W: Hexafluoride H₂O₄W: Tungstic AcidVanadium V Cl₂OV O₅SV O₃V₂ F₃V: Trifluoride Cl₃OV S₃V₂ O₅V₂ F₄V:Tetrafluoride O₁₂S₃V₂ F₅V: Pentafluoride Ytterbium Yb Yb(NO₃)₃ YbCl₃Yb₂(SO₄)₃ O₃Yb₂ Yttrium Y Y(NO₃)₃ YCl₃ Y₂(SO₄)₃ O₃Y₂ Y(OH)₃ Zirconium ZrN₄O₁₂Zr Cl₄Zr O₈S₂Zr O₂Zr ZrF₄: Tetrafluoride Cl₂OZr H₄O₄Zr ZrH₂:Hydride I₄Zr: Iodide

The overall amount of exotic micronutrient present may vary where incertain embodiments, the amount ranges from 0.001 ppb to 100 ppb w/w,such as 0.005 ppb to 75 ppb w/w, such as 0.01 ppb to 50 ppb w/w, such as0.05 ppb to 25 ppb w/w and including 0.01 ppb to 10 ppb w/w.

The amounts of individual exotic micronutrients may be chosen to providefor concentrations of elements as desired, where the desiredconcentrations of elements may vary, depending on the particular natureof the exotic micronutrient. For example, one class of exoticmicronutrients may be viewed as “severe” micronutrients, and includes Hg(Mercury), Cd (Cadmium), Cs (Cesium). The amounts of thesemicronutrients may be chosen to provide a concentration in theconcentrated product ranging from 1 to 10 ppb, such as 7.5 ppb. Anotherclass of exotic micronutrients may be viewed as “intermediate”micronutrients, and includes Se (Selenium), Al (Aluminum), Ba (Barium),Be (Beryllium), B (Boron), Cr (Chromium), Dy (Dysprosium), Ga (Gallium),La (Lanthanum), Ni (Nickel), Ru (Ruthenium), Sr (Strontium), Te(Tellurium), Sn (Tin), V (Vanadium). The amounts of these micronutrientsmay be chosen to provide a concentration in the concentrated productranging from 10 to 25 ppb, such as 15 ppb. Another class of exoticmicronutrients may be viewed as “Standard I” micronutrients, andincludes Mo (Molybdenum), Sb (Antimony), Ce (Cerium), Co (Cobalt), Er(Erbium), Gd (Gadolinium), Ge (Germanium), Hf (Hafnium), Lu (Lutetium),Li (Lithium), Rh (Rhodium), Sm (Samarium), Ti (Titanium), W (Tungsten),Yb (Ytterbium), Zr (Zirconium). The amounts of these micronutrients maybe chosen to provide a concentration in the concentrated product rangingfrom 20 to 40 ppb, such as 35 ppb. Another class of exoticmicronutrients may be viewed as “Standard II” micronutrients, andincludes Bi (Bismuth), Eu (Europium), Ho (Holmium), Nd (Neodymium), Pt(Platinum), Ag (Silver), Tl (Thallium), Th (Thorium). The amounts ofthese micronutrients may be chosen to provide a concentration in theconcentrated product ranging from 95 to 150 ppb, such as 90 ppb. Anotherclass of exotic micronutrients may be viewed as “Standard III”micronutrients, and includes Br (Bromine), F (Fluorine), Au (Gold), In(Indium), Pr (Praseodymium), Tb (Terbium), Tm (Thulium). The amounts ofthese micronutrients may be chosen to provide a concentration in theconcentrated product ranging from 400 to 1,000 ppb, such as 850 ppb.Another class of exotic micronutrients may be viewed as “Standard IV”micronutrients, and includes Nb (Niobium), Sc (Scandium), Si (Silicon),S (Sulfur), Y (Yttrium). The amounts of these micronutrients may bechosen to provide a concentration in the concentrated product rangingfrom 2,000 to 3,700 ppb, such as 3,200 ppb.

An embodiment of the an exotic micronutrient component of interest isone that provides ionic species of the following elements in the amountsprovided below: (1) Hg (Mercury), Cd (Cadmium), and Cs (Cesium) rangingfrom 1 to 10 ppb, such as 7.5 ppb; (2) Se (Selenium), Al (Aluminum), Ba(Barium), Be (Beryllium), B (Boron), Cr (Chromium), Dy (Dysprosium), Ga(Gallium), La (Lanthanum), Ni (Nickel), Ru (Ruthenium), Sr (Strontium),Te (Tellurium), Sn (Tin), V (Vanadium) ranging from 10 to 25 ppb, suchas 15 ppb; (3) Mo (Molybdenum), Sb (Antimony), Ce (Cerium), Co (Cobalt),Er (Erbium), Gd (Gadolinium), Ge (Germanium), Hf (Hafnium), Lu(Lutetium), Li (Lithium), Rh (Rhodium), Sm (Samarium), Ti (Titanium), W(Tungsten), Yb (Ytterbium), Zr (Zirconium) ranging from 20 to 40 ppb,such as 35 ppb; (4) Bi (Bismuth), Eu (Europium), Ho (Holmium), Nd(Neodymium), Pt (Platinum), Ag (Silver), Tl (Thallium), Th (Thorium)ranging from 95 to 150 ppb, such as 90 ppb; (5) Br (Bromine), F(Fluorine), Au (Gold), In (Indium), Pr (Praseodymium), Tb (Terbium), Tm(Thulium) ranging from 400 to 1,000 ppb, such as 850 ppb; and (6) Nb(Niobium), Sc (Scandium), Si (Silicon), S (Sulfur), Y (Yttrium) rangingfrom 2,000 to 3,700 ppb, such as 3,200 ppb.

Alternatively, at least some if not all of the micronutrients may beobtained from a naturally occurring source of nutrients, e.g., fulvicacid. In certain embodiments, fulvic acid is itself the exoticmicronutrient source. In such embodiments, fulvic acid is used ingreater amounts than when it is employed as a complexing agent (e.g., asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,277, herein incorporated by reference),where this greater amount may be 3-fold or more greater, such as 5-foldor more greater. Additional sources of the exotic micronutrientcomponent include, but are not limited to: quarry from Gold (Au) andCopper (Cu) mines; Leonardite; Volcanic Hot Spring Water (Gilroy HotSprings, Prizmatic Hot Springs—Yellowstone); Ironite Granule(Scottsdale, Ariz.); and the like.

Additional Components

In some embodiments, compositions may also include one or more of acarbon skeleton energy component, macronutrients, micronutrients,vitamin cofactors, a complexing agent, an ionophore, each of which isdescribed in greater detail below.

Carbon Skeleton Energy Compounds

CSE compounds that find use in the subject compositions are carboncontaining substances which provide a readily assimilable source of bothcarbon and energy. In certain embodiments, the CSE component provides acomplex array of various carbon compounds. The carbon skeleton energycomponent is a C₂ to C₁₀ containing compound or polymer thereof, e.g., apolymer in which the monomeric units are C₂ to C₁₀ compounds, such as apolysaccharide, including a C₄ to C₈ containing compound or polymer.

CSE compounds of interest include: complex organic compositions, such asmolasses (e.g. cane, sugar beet, sorghum, etc.), whey, corn steepliquor, grape syrup, maple syrup, corn syrup, etc; sugars, e.g. sucrose,fructose, glucose, lactose, galactose, dextrose, maltose, raffinose,ribose, ribulose, xylulose, xylose, amylose, arabinose, etc.; sugarphosphates, e.g. fucose-P, galactose-P, glucose-P, lactose-P, maltose-P,mannose-P, ribose-P, ribulose-P, xylose-P, xylulose-P, etc.; sugaralcohols, e.g. adonitol, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, ribitol,galactitol, glucitol, etc.; organic acids, e.g. glucuronic acid, alphaketoglutaric acid, galactonic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid,pyruvic acid, polygalacturonic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, malicacid, isocitric acid, folic acid, etc.; nucleotides and bases, e.g.adenosine, adenosine-P, uridine, uridine-P, thymine, thymine-P,cytosine, cytosine-P, guanine, guanine-P, etc.; and amino acids, e.g.glycine, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, asparagine, tyrosine,phenylalanine, serine, cysteine, valine, proline, methionine, glutamine,threonine, lysine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine, and the like.

In embodiments of the invention, the amount of CSE component in thecomposition ranges from about 5% to 75% w/w, such as 10% to 60% w/w,such as 15% to 50% w/w, such as 20% to 40% w/w and including 25% to 35%w/w.

The CSE component may be a single carbon containing compound or acombination of two or more different carbon containing compounds. Forexample, in some embodiments compositions include two or more carboncontaining compounds or polymers, such as where the subject compositionsinclude three or more carbon containing compounds or polymers, such as 4or more carbon containing compounds or polymers and including 5 or morecarbon containing compounds or polymers. Where the CSE componentincludes two more carbon containing compounds or polymers, the percentby weight of each carbon containing compound in compositions of interestmay vary, ranging from 5% to 75% w/w, such as 10% to 60% w/w, such as15% to 50% w/w, such as 20% to 40% w/w and including 25% to 35% w/w. Incertain embodiments, the CSE component is a single carbon containingcompound or polymer. In some instances, the carbon skeleton energycompound is corn syrup. In other instances, the carbon skeleton energycompound is cane molasses.

Macronutrients

As noted above, the compositions include one or more macronutrients. Asthe macronutrient component is a compound that is used by the subjectplants, it is typically water soluble so as to be in a form that may beeasily used by a plant. The subject compositions may include one or aplurality of macronutrient components. Accordingly, the number ofmacronutrient components present in a composition may range from 1 to 15or more, e.g., from 1 to 6, e.g., from 2 to 6.

The total amount of macronutrient component present in a givencomposition (whether one or a plurality of macronutrients) depends on avariety of factors such as the particular plant to which the compositionis to be administered, the particular macronutrient component(s)employed, and the like. In many embodiments, the total amount ofmacronutrient component in the composition may range from about 0.01% toabout 25% w/w, e.g., from about 1% to about 20% w/w, e.g., from about 1to about 15% w/w. Exemplary macronutrient components include, but arenot limited to one or more of: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cl, Na, C, H, O. Forexample, certain embodiments may include one or more of the followingexemplary macronutrient components:

R—ammonium nitrate, monoammonium phosphate, ammonium phosphate sulfate,ammonium sulfates, ammonium phosphatenitrate, diammonium phosphate,ammoniated single superphosphate, ammoniated triple superphosphate,nitric phosphates, ammonium chloride, aqua ammonia, ammonia-ammoniumnitrate solutions, calcium ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, calciumcyanamide, sodium nitrate, urea, urea-formaldehyde, urea-ammoniumnitrate solution, nitrate of soda potash, potassium nitrate, aminoacids, proteins, nucleic acids

P—superphosphate (single, double and/or triple), phosphoric acid,ammonium phosphate, ammonium phosphate sulfate, ammonium phosphatenitrate, diammonium phosphate, ammoniated single superphosphate,ammoniated single superphosphate, ammoniated triple superphosphate,nitric phosphates, potassium pyrophosphates, sodium pyrophosphate,nucleic acid phosphates

K—potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium gluconate, sulfate ofpotash magnesia, potassium carbonate, potassium acetate, potassiumcitrate, potassium hydroxide, potassium manganate, potassium phosphate,potassium molybdate, potassium thiosulfate, potassium zinc sulfate

Ca—calcium ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, calcium cyanamide, calciumacetate, calcium acetylsalicylate, calcium borate, calciumborogluconate, calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, calcium citrate,calcium ferrous citrate, calcium gluconate, calcium glycerophosphate,calcium lactate, calcium oxide, calcium pantothenate, calciumproprionate, calcium saccharate, calcium sulfate, calcium tartrate

Mg—magnesium oxide, dolomite, magnesium acetate, magnesium benzoate,magnesium bisulfate, magnesium borate, magnesium chloride, magnesiumcitrate, magnesium gluconate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium phosphate,magnesium salicylate, magnesium sulfate

S—ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate sulfate, calcium sulfate,potassium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, sulfuric acid, cobalt sulfate,copper sulfate, ferric sulfate, ferrous sulfate, sulfur, cysteine,methionine

Where the macronutrient component includes two or more compounds, thepercent by weight of each macronutrient compound in compositions ofinterest may vary, ranging from about 0.01% to about 25% w/w, e.g., fromabout 1% to about 20% w/w, e.g., from about 1 to about 15% w/w. Incertain embodiments, the macronutrient component includes a singlemacronutrient. In certain instances, the macronutrient is calciumgluconate.

Micronutrients

In certain embodiments, the subject compositions may also include one ormore micronutrient components. As the micronutrient components arecomponents that are used by a plant, they are typically water solublecomponents so as to be in a form that may be easily used by a plant. Thesubject compositions may include one or a plurality of micronutrientcomponents. Accordingly, the number of micronutrient components presentin a composition may range from about 1 to about 60 or more, e.g., fromabout 3 to about 55, e.g., from about 4 to about 50.

The total amount of micronutrient component present in a givencomposition, whether a single or a plurality of micronutrients dependson the type of subject plants and may range from about 0.001 ppm to 500ppm w/w, such as 0.05 to 400 ppm w/w, such as 0.01 ppm to 300 ppm, suchas 0.1 ppm to 250 ppm and including 1 ppm to 200 ppm w/w. Micronutrientcompounds of interest include, but are not limited to:

Zn—zinc oxide, zinc acetate, zinc benzoate, zinc chloride, zinc citrate,zinc nitrate, zinc salicylate, ziram.

Fe—ferric chloride, ferric citrate, ferric fructose, ferricglycerophosphate, ferric nitrate, ferric oxide (saccharated), ferrouschloride, ferrous citrate ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferroussuccinate.

Mn—manganese acetate, manganese chloride, manganese nitrate, manganesephosphate.

Cu—cupric acetate, cupric butyrate, cupric chlorate, cupric chloride,cupric citrate, cupric gluconate, cupric glycinate, cupric nitrate,cupric salicylate, cuprous acetate, cuprous chloride.

B—calcium borate, potassium borohydride, borax, boron trioxide,potassium borotartrate, potassium tetraborate, sodium borate, sodiumborohydride, sodium tetraborate.

Mo—molybdic acid, calcium molybdate, potassium molybdate, sodiummolybdate.

Co—cobaltic acetate, cobaltous acetate, cobaltous chloride, cobaltousoxalate, cobaltous potassium sulfate, cobaltous sulfate.

Where the micronutrient component includes two or more compounds, thepercent by weight of each micronutrient compound in compositions ofinterest may vary, ranging from about 0.001 ppm to 500 ppm w/w, such as0.05 to 400 ppm w/w, such as 0.01 ppm to 300 ppm, such as 0.1 ppm to 250ppm and including 1 ppm to 200 ppm w/w.

Vitamins and Cofactor Composition

Compositions of interest also include one or more vitamin and cofactorcompositions. The subject composition may include one or a plurality ofvitamin and cofactor components. Accordingly, the number of vitamin andcofactor components present in a composition may range from about 1 toabout 20 or more, e.g., from about 3 to about 15, e.g., from about 5 toabout 12.

The total amount of vitamin and cofactor component present in a givencomposition, whether one or a plurality of vitamin/cofactor componentsdepends on a variety of factors such as the subject plants, theparticular vitamin cofactor component(s) employed, and the like. In manyembodiments, the total amount of vitamin/cofactor component in thecomposition may range from about 0.001 to 10%, such as 0.01 to 5%,including 0.25 to 3.0% w/w. Vitamin and cofactors of interest include,but are not limited to:

Thiamine—thiamine pyrophosphate, thiamine monophosphate, thiaminedisulfide, thiamine mononitrate, thiamine phosphoric acid esterchloride, thiamine phosphoric acid ester phosphate salt, thiamine 1,5salt, thiamine triphosphoric acid ester, thiamine triphosphoric acidsalt, yeast, yeast extract.

Riboflavin—riboflavin acetyl phosphate, flavin adenine dinucleotide,flavin adenine mononucleotide, riboflavin phosphate, yeast, yeastextract.

Nicotinic acid—nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide, nicotinic acidamide, nicotinic acid benzyl ester, nicotinic acid monoethanolaminesalt, yeast, yeast extract, nicotinic acid hydrazide, nicotinic acidhydroxamate, nicotinic acid-N-(hydroxymethyl)amide, nicotinic acidmethyl ester, nicotinic acid mononucleotide, nicotinic acid nitrile.

Pyridoxine—pyridoxal phosphate, yeast, yeast extract.

Folic acid—yeast, yeast extract, folinic acid.

Biotin—biotin sulfoxide, yeast, yeast extract, biotin 4-amidobenzoicacid, biotin amidocaproate N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, biotin6-amidoquinoline, biotin hydrazide, biotin methyl ester,d-biotin-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester, biotin-maleimide, d-biotinp-nitrophenyl ester, biotin propranolal, 5-(N-biotinyl)-3aminoallyl)-uridine 5′-triphosphate, biotinylated uridine5′-triphosphate, N-e-biotinyl-lysine.

Pantothenic acid—yeast, yeast extract, coenzyme A.

Cyanocobalamin—yeast, yeast extract.

Phosphatidylcholine—soybean oil, eggs, bovine heart, bovine brain,bovine liver, L-a-phosphatidylcholine, B-acetyl-g-O-alkyl,D-a-phosphatidylcholine (PTCn), B-acetyl-g-O-hexadecyl, DL-a-PTCh,B-acetyl-g-O-hexadecyl, L-a-PTCh, B-acetyl-g-O-(octadec-9-cis-e-nyl),L-a-PTCh, B-arachidonoyl, g-stearoyl, L-a-PTCh, diarachidoyl, L-a-PTCh,dibehenoyl (dibutyroyl, dicaproyl, dicapryloyl, didecanoyl, dielaidoyl,12 diheptadecanoyl, diheptanoyl), DL-a-PTCh dilauroyl, La-PTChdimyristoyl(dilauroyl, dilinoleoyl, dinonanoyl, dioleoyl,dipentadeconoyl, dipalmitoyl, distearoyl, diundecanoyl, divaleroyl,B-elaidoyl-a-palmitoyl, B-linoleoyl-a-palmitoyl)DL-a-PTChdi-O-hexadecyl(dioleoyl, dipalmitoyl, B—O-methyl-g-O-hexadecyl,B-oleoyl-g-O-hexadecyl, B-palmitoyl-g-O-hexadecyl), D-a-PTChdipalmitoyl, L-a-PTCh, B—O-methyl-g-O-octadecyl, L-a-PTCh,B—(NBD-aminohexanoyl)-g-palmitoyl, L-a-PTCh,B-oleoyl-g-O-palmitoyl(stearoyl), L-a-PTCh, B-palmitoyl-g-oleoyl,L-a-PTCh, B-palmitoyl-a-(pyren 1-yl)hexanoyl, L-a-PTCh,B(pyren-1-yl)-decanoyl-g-palmitoyl, L-a-PTCh,B-(pyren-1-yl)-hexanoyl-g-palmitoyl, L-a-PTCh, B-stearoyl-g-oleoyl.

Inositol—inositol monophosphate, inositol macinate, myo-inositol,epi-inositol, myo-inositol2,2′anhydro-2-c-hydroxymethyl(2-c-methylene-my-oinositol oxide),D-myo-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, DL-myo-inositol 1,2-cyclicmonophosphate, myo-inositol dehydrogenase, myo-inositol hexanicotinate,inositol hexaphosphate, myo-inositol hexasulfate, myo-inositol2-monophosphate, D-myo-inositol 1-monophosphate, DL-myo-inositol1-monophosphate, D-Myo-inositol triphosphate, scyllo-inositol.

PABA—m-aminobenzoic acid, O-aminobenzoic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid butylester, PABA ethyl ester, 3-ABA ethyl ester.

Where the vitamin and cofactor compositions includes two or morecompounds, the percent by weight of each vitamin or cofactor compound incompositions of interest may vary, ranging from about 0.001 to 10%, suchas 0.01 to 5%, including 0.25 to 3.0% w/w.

Complexing Agents

In certain embodiments, the subject compositions may also include one ormore complexing agents. A “complexing agent” is used to in itsconventional sense to refer to an agent that aids in the solubilizationof components of the composition and may also serve to tie up ions(e.g., iron or other ions) and preventing formation of precipitates uponapplication. A complexing agent may be an agent that is capable ofcomplexing with a metal ion. As such, powder or fine forms of oxidizedcoal, oxidized bituminous material, ironite, volcanic rock, shale,fossilized peat, moss, kelp or seaweed find use in the subjectcompositions to provide a source of one or more complexing agents. Othercomplexing agents of interest include, but are not limited to: citricacid, lignosulfonates, e.g., Ca—, K—, Na—, and ammonium lignosulfonates,amino acids, propionic acid and nucleic acids. In some instances, thesecondary complexing agent may be a chelating agent, such asethylenediamin tetraacetatic acid (EDTA), diethylene triamine pentaceticacid (DTPA), nitrolotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminediacetate(EDDA), ethylenediaminedi(o-hydroxyphenylacetic) acid (EDDHA),hydroxyethylethylene-diaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), cyclohexane diaminetetraacetic acid (CDTA) and the like. Naturally occurring chelatingagents may also be employed. By naturally occurring chelating agent ismeant that the chelating agent is a chelating agent that occurs innature, i.e. not an agent that has been first synthesized by humanintervention. The naturally occurring chelating agent may be a lowmolecular weight chelating agent, where by low molecular weightchelating agent is meant that the molecular weight of the chelatingagent does not exceed about 200 daltons. In certain embodiments, themolecular weight of the chelating agent is greater than about 100daltons.

Naturally occurring low molecular weight chelating agents that may beused are microbial produced chelating agents, where by “microbialproduced” is meant that the chelating agent is produced by a microbe,where the microbe is generally a bacterium or a fungus. In manyembodiments, the chelating agents are citric acid cycle intermediatesand derivatives thereof. Specific chelating agents of interest include:malic acid, succinic acid, oxalacetic acid, ketoglutaric acid and citricacid and amino acids derived from citric acid cycle intermediates, suchas glycine (75.1 daltons), alanine (89.1 daltons), serine (105.1daltons), valine (117.2 daltons), threonine (119.1 daltons), cysteine(121.2 daltons), leucine (131.2 daltons), isoleucine (131.2 daltons),asparginine (132.1 daltons), glutamine (146.2 daltons), methionine(149.2 daltons), etc. Accordingly, embodiments include compositions thatmay include a source of at least one naturally occurring chelatingagent. By source is meant that the compositions may include thechelating agents or an entity or component that produces the chelatingagents. In many embodiments, the source of chelating agents is a livingor viable microbial source of chelating agents. For example, themicrobial source may be a bacterial or fungal culture which produces therequisite chelating agents.

The total amount of complexing agent present in a given composition(whether one or a plurality of complexing agents) depends on a varietyof factors such as the particular plant to which the composition is tobe administered, the particular complexing agent(s) employed, and thelike. In certain embodiments, the total amount of complexing agent inthe composition may range from about 0.01 to about 5% w/w, e.g., fromabout 0.1% to about 4.5% w/w, e.g., from about 1.0% to about 4% w/w.

Ionophore Component

Compositions of interest also include an ionophore. The term “ionophore”is used in its conventional sense to refer to the class of organiccompounds that are capable of transporting ions across lipid barriers ina plant cell. Ionophores of interest include, but are not limited toantibiotics, such as Gramicidin A and Valinomycin, and Amino ButyricAcids (ABA), such as D-alpha ABA, DL-alpha ABA, L-alpha ABA, DL-BetaABA, Gama—ABA (GABA) (e.g., 4-GABA), and the like.

The total amount of ionophore in the subject compositions may range fromabout 10 ppm to 500 ppm w/w, such as 25 ppm to 450 ppm w/w, such as 50ppm to 400 ppm w/w, such as 75 ppm to 350 ppm w/w, such as 100 ppm to300 ppm and including 150 ppm to 250 ppm w/w, for example 200 ppm w/w.

Binder

As described in greater detail below, compositions of interest may bepelletized. Where the subject compositions are pelletized, the pelletmay include one or more binder components. By “binder” is meant one ormore compounds used to hold the pelletized composition together in acohesive mix. As such, the binder may be any suitable compound which issufficient to allow the pelletized composition to retain its shape. Forexample, binders may be organic or inorganic and include, but are notlimited to, alumina, aluminates, aluminum, aluminum phosphate,attapulgite, borate class, calcium chromites, calcium fluoride, calciumgerminate, calcium oxide, calcium lignosulfate, calcium aluminate,calcium sulfate, clay, iron humate, iron oxide, lime, magnesiumchloride, magnesium oxide, magnesium lignosulfate, magnesium sulfate,Portland cement, potassium silicate, potassium lignosulfate, siliconcarbine, sodium silicate, sodium lignosulfate, wollastonite, zincsulfate hydrate, alginic acid, araldite, asphalt, bitumens,carbohydrates, casein, butadiene chloroprene, epoxy resins, glycerol,glycol ester derivatives, gums (e.g. guar gum, xanthan gum),hydroxylamine derivatives, nitrophenols, lupines, manioc flour,molasses, organosilicones, phenol borates and phosphates, acrylamides,polyamides, polyester resins, polyurethanes, sawdust, shale bitumen,shellac, tartrates, corn starch, sifted wheat flour, sifted corn flour,sifted rice flour, commercial anti-caking agents, silica-basedanti-caking agents, hygroscopic absorption agents.

In embodiments of the invention, the amount of binder in the pelletizedcomposition ranges from about 1% to 25% w/w, such as 2% to 20% w/w, suchas 3% to 15% w/w and including 5% to 10% w/w. In embodiments, the ratioof cellulose nutrient component to binder varies depending on typepellets (e.g., size and shape) desired. For example, the weight ratio ofcellulose nutrient component to binder may range from 1:1 to 25:1, suchas from 2:1 to 20:1, such as from 3:1 to 15:1, such as from 4:1 to 10:1,and including from 5:1 to 8:1. In certain embodiments, the weight ratioof cellulose nutrient component to binder is 5:1

Wood

Compositions of interest also include an amount of wood. Wood present inthe subject composition may be any suitable type of wood desired,depending on the cellulose nutrient component and type of microbespresent in the microbial blend component. For example, suitable types ofwood may include, but is not limited to pine, cedar, celery-top pine,cypress, Douglas-fir, European yew, fir, hemlock, Huon pine, kauri,nutmeg-yew, larch, red cedar, redwood, cherry, rimu, sprice, sugi, whitecedar, Nootka cypress, abachi, African padauk, afzelia, agba, alder,American chestnut, ash, aspen, ayan, balsa, basswood, beech, birch,blackbean, black tupelo, blackwood, boxelder, boxwood, Brazilian walnut,Brazilwood, bubinga, buckeye, butternut, bay laurel, camphor, carapa,catalpa, Ceylon satinwood, coachwood, cocobolo, corkwood, cottonwood,cucumbertree, dogwood, ebony, elm, eucalyptus, crabapple, pear,greenheart, granadilla, guanandi, gum, hackberry, hickory, hornbeam,hophornbeam, iroko, ironwood, kingwood, lacewood, limba, locust,mahagony, maple, marblewood, marri, meranti, merbau, oak, okoume, olive,pink ivory, poplar, purpleheart, ramin, redheart, sweetgum, sandalwood,sapele, sassafras, silky oak, silver wattle, sourwood, tamboti, teak,rosewood, tupelo, turpentine, walnut, wenge, willow, and zingana amongothers.

Wood may be incorporated into the subject compositions in any convenientform, such as shavings, wood resin, powder, dust, particles, pellets,etc. The total amount of wood in the subject compositions may range fromabout 5% to 75% w/w, such as 10% to 60% w/w, such as 15% to 50% w/w,such as 20% to 40% w/w and including 25% to 35% w/w.

Methods for Fertilizing and Remediating Soil

As summarized above, aspects of the invention also include methods forfertilizing and remediating soil by treating soil with the subjectcompositions. As described above, the term “fertilizing” is used hereinin its conventional sense to refer to providing or supplementingessential nutrients to the soil. Fertilizing may be passive, such aswhere the subject compositions provide a source of essential nutrientsto target plants. Alternatively, fertilizing may be active, such aswhere the subject composition initiates, catalyzes or otherwisefacilitates uptake of the essential nutrients by plants in the soil. Incertain embodiments, fertilizing the soil may be realized by anenhancement in the overall health of plants in soil contacted with thesubject composition, where in some instances the desired enhancementultimately results in greater production of some desirable parameter,such as for example the amount of harvestable crop produced.

For example, in some embodiments enhanced overall health of the subjectplants by compositions of interest includes an increased amount ofharvested crop, such as by 10% or more, such as by 25% or more, such asby 50% or more, such as by 75% or more and including increasing theamount of harvested crop by 100% or more, e.g., as compared to asuitable reference or control, such as described above. For example, theincreased amount of harvested crop may range from 10% to 100%, such asfrom 25% to 75% and including from 30% to 60%. In other instances,compositions of interest may increase harvested crop production by1.5-fold or greater, such as 2-fold or greater, such as 2.5-fold orgreater, such as 3-fold or greater, such as 5-fold or greater andincluding increasing harvested crop by 10-fold or greater. For example,the increased harvested crop may range from 1.5-fold to 25-fold, such asfrom 2-fold to 20-fold, such as from 3-fold to 18-fold and includingfrom 5-fold to 15-fold. In certain instances, where the harvested cropare fruits or nuts, compositions for fertilizing soil provided by theinvention may increase the amount of crop produced by 250 pounds peracre or more, such as 500 pounds per acre or more, such as 1000 poundsper acre or more, such as 1500 pounds per acre or more and including by2000 pounds per acre or more. For example the harvested crop may beincreased from 250 pounds to 5000 pounds, such as from 500 pounds to4500 pounds, such as from 750 pounds to 4000 pounds and including from1000 pounds to 3000 pounds. Enhanced overall health of the subjectplants according to the subject methods may, in certain instances, alsobe realized by an improvement in the quality of harvested crops (e.g.,color, taste, duration of shelf life, etc.) as compared to soil nottreated with the subject compositions.

Enhanced overall health of the subject plants may also include increasedresistance to detrimental effects of pathogens (bacteria, viruses),pests (e.g., mites, aphids, psyllids, etc.) and chemical toxins (such asherbicides, insecticides, fungicides, miticides and other chemicalcompounds which exhibit phytotoxicity). As described above, by increasedresistance to the detrimental effects of pathogens, pests and chemicaltoxins is meant that the amount required to result in detrimentaleffects on the subject plants is greater as compared to plants nottreated by the subject methods. For example, the amount of pathogens,pests or chemical toxins required to cause detrimental effects to plantstreated by the subject methods may be increased by 10% or more, such as25% or more, such as 50% or more, such as 75% or more and including by100% or more as compared to plants not treated by the subject methods.In other instances, the amount of pathogens, pests or chemical toxinsrequired to cause detrimental effects to plants treated by the subjectmethods may be increased by 1.5-fold or greater, such as 2-fold orgreater, such as 2.5-fold or greater, such as 3-fold or greater, such as5-fold or greater and including by 10-fold or greater as compared toplants not treated by the subject methods.

The subject methods also include remediating soil. As discussed above,the term “remediating” is to refer to reducing the overall negativeeffect of undesirable organic or inorganic contaminants in the soil onplants such that the plants experience a decreased amount of negativeeffects by the undesirable organic or inorganic contaminants as comparedto plants in soil not treated with the subject composition. The overallnegative effect by undesirable organic or inorganic contaminants may bereduced, such as by reducing the overall amount of undesirable organicor inorganic contaminants (i.e., oxidative-reductive reactions) in thesoil or by reducing the severity or extent of negative effects of theundesirable organic or inorganic contaminants (i.e., the amount ofcontaminants remain unchanged but initiate fewer detrimental effects).

As discussed above, the subject compositions are synergisticallyeffective combinations of a cellulose nutrient component, a microbialblend component, a source of nitrogen, a source of phosphorus and exoticmicronutrients. As such, methods for fertilizing and remediating soilaccording embodiments of the present invention produce an effect whichis greater than would be achieved by the sum of applying each component,individually. For example, in some instances, the subject methodsproduce an effect which is greater than would be achieved by the sum ofindividually applying a composition having a cellulose nutrientcomponent and a composition having a microbial blend component, a sourceof nitrogen, a source of phosphorus and exotic micronutrients. In otherinstances, the subject methods produce an effect which is greater thanwould be achieved by the sum of individually applying a compositionhaving a microbial blend component and a composition having a cellulosenutrient component, a source of nitrogen, a source of phosphorus andexotic micronutrients. In yet other instances, the subject methodsproduce an effect which is greater than would be achieved by the sum ofindividually applying a composition having a cellulose nutrientcomponent and a microbial blend component and a composition having asource of nitrogen, a source of phosphorus and exotic micronutrients.

The synergistic effect produced by the subject methods may be realized,in certain embodiments, by increased soil fertilization as compared soilfertilization achieved when applying each component individually. Asdiscussed above, enhanced fertilization may be realized by greaterproduction of some desirable parameter, such as for example the amountof harvestable crop produced. Likewise, the synergistic effect of thesubject methods may be realized, in some embodiments, by increased soilremediation as compared to soil remediation by applying each componentindividually. For example, increased soil remediation may be realized bya reduced overall negative effect of undesirable organic or inorganiccontaminants in the soil on plants, such as by reducing the overallamount of undesirable organic or inorganic contaminants in the soil orby reducing the severity or extent of negative effects of theundesirable organic or inorganic contaminants (i.e., the amount ofcontaminants remain unchanged but initiate fewer detrimental effects).

In embodiments of the invention, methods include contacting the soilwith one or more of the compositions as described above. By contactingis meant that an amount of the composition is placed onto the surface orincorporated into the soil, such as by using conventional agriculturalequipment, mixers, blenders or compost tumblers. The composition may becontacted with soil by any convenient protocol. In some embodiments,compositions are contacted by aerial application. Aerial application mayinclude, but is not limited to spraying, dropping and otherwise applyingthe subject compositions by agricultural aircraft, gliders, helicopters,ultra-lights, biplanes, remote control airplanes, as well as motorized,mechanically or electrically powered sprayers or dusters supported by anelevated apparatus (e.g., towers, hydraulic lifts, cranes or supportcolumns). In other embodiments, compositions may be contacted with soilon the ground using motorized, mechanically or electrically poweredapplicators, such as a tractor or other agricultural vehicle equippedwith a sprayer or by hand-held sprayers and the like. Compositions mayalternatively be manually applied (i.e., by hand). In yet otherembodiments, the subject composition is contacted with the soil byremoving the soil from the ground and mixing the removed soil with oneor more compositions of interest, such as in an industrial mixer,blender or tumbler. In these embodiments, the soil-fertilizercomposition mixture can subsequently reincorporated back to the originallocation of the soil or some other location.

The amount of the composition employed during any single application mayvary depending on the condition of the soil, geographical area andenvironmental conditions (e.g., wind conditions, precipitation, etc.).Any amount may be applied so long as the amount is sufficient to treatthe soil as desired. In some embodiments, the amount applied per acremay range from about 0.01 to 10 pounds per acre, such as 0.05 to 9pounds per acre, such as 0.1 to 8 pounds per acre, such as 0.5 to 7pounds per acre, such as 1 to 6 pounds per acre and including 2 to 5pounds per acre. Depending on the type of condition of the soil,geographical area, environmental conditions, the subject compositionsmay be applied periodically (i.e., in predetermined time intervals). Assuch, the composition may be applied daily, weekly, every two weeks,monthly etc. In certain embodiments, the subject compositions areapplied after each harvest. Alternatively, the subject compositions maybe simply applied as needed, where fertilization or soil remediation isdetermined to be necessary or desired as by a trained agriculturalist orapiculturist.

Methods may include a single application of the subject compositions ormay include multiple application intervals. By “multiple applicationintervals” is meant more than a single application of the composition,i.e., one or more subsequent application of the composition is performedafter the first application. In practicing methods of the invention,protocols may include two or more application intervals, such as threeor more application intervals, such as four or more applicationintervals and including five or more application intervals.

The duration between application intervals may vary depending on thesize of soil plot, geographical location, environmental conditions, thecondition of the soil, detrimental compounds (e.g., toxins, hazardouswaste, parasitic species) found in the soil, etc. In certain instances,the duration between application intervals may be predetermined andfollow at regular intervals. For example, the time between applicationintervals may be 1 hour or longer, such as 2 hours or longer, such as 5hours or longer, such as 10 hours or longer, such as 12 hours or longer,such as 24 hours or longer, such as 48 hours or longer, such as 72 hoursor longer, such as 96 hours or longer and including 168 hours or longer.Alternatively, the time between application intervals may be on demand,where one or more subsequent applications is performed based on needdetermined by a trained agriculturalist or apiculturist.

Methods of the invention according to certain embodiments also includedetermining and assessing the make-up of the soil. Determining themakeup of the soil refers to the analysis of one or more of theproperties and/or the components present in the soil. Determining themakeup of the soil may include, but is not limited to, determining themicrobial composition, plant pathogen composition, fungal composition,organic matter composition, the metal composition, salt composition,ionic composition, organometallic composition and pH. Any convenientprotocol can be employed to determine the makeup of the soil of thesubject plants. In some embodiments, prior to analysis, a sample of thesoil may be obtained and filtered (e.g., by vacuum filtration) toseparate the solid components from any liquid components. Suitableprotocols for analyzing soil may include, but are not limited to the useof nuclear magnetic spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, infraredspectroscopy, high performance liquid chromatography, liquidchromatography-mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma emissionspectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, ionchromatography, X-ray diffraction, gas chromatography, gaschromatography-mass spectrometry, flow-injection analysis, scintillationcounting, acidimetric titration, and flame emission spectrometry.

In some embodiments, determining and assessing the make-up of the soilincludes evaluating the microbial activity of the soil. The microbialactivity of the soil may be evaluated using any convenient protocol,such as for example the Formozan test. In certain instances, theFormozan test parameters include:

Sterile soil: 10-50

Little Activity: 60-150

Mild Activity: 200-600

High Activity: 750-1500

Superior Activity: >2000

Where desired, the microbial activity may be increased, such as forexample by 2-fold or greater, such as by 3-fold or greater, such as by4-fold or greater, such as by 5-fold or greater, such as by 10-fold orgreater, such as by 50-fold or greater and including increasingmicrobial activity of the soil by 100-fold or greater. For example, themicrobial activity may be increased by from 2-fold to 100-fold, such asfrom 5-fold to 50-fold and including increasing microbial activity byfrom 10-fold to 25-fold. Where microbial activity is measured accordingto the Formozan parameters summarized above, increasing microbialactivity may include raising the Formozan test result of the soil to 750or greater, such as 1000 or greater, such as 1500 or greater, such as2000 or greater and including 2500 or greater. For example, in certaininstances, the microbial activity is raised to about 3000 or less, suchas to about 2500 or less, such as to about 2250 or less and including toabout 2000 or less.

Determining and assessing the make-up of the soil may be performed atany time as desired. For example, determining and assessing the make-upthe soil may be performed at predetermined intervals such as every day,every week, every two weeks, every month, etc. Alternatively,determining and assessing the make-up of the soil may be performed inconjunction with methods for applying the subject compositions asdescribed above. For example, the soil may be sampled between intervalsduring a multiple application interval. The make-up of the soil may beevaluated 1 hour or later after applying the subject compositions, suchas 2 hours or later, such as 3 hours or later, such as 5 hours or later,such as 10 hours or later, such as 12 hours or later, such as 24 hoursor later, such as 48 hours or later and including 72 hours or laterafter applying the subject compositions. In some embodiments, themake-up of the soil is evaluated before treating the soil with thesubject compositions. In other embodiments, the make-up of the soil isevaluated after treating the soil with the subject compositions. In yetother embodiments, the make-up of the soil is evaluated both before andafter treating the soil with the subject compositions.

In certain embodiments, methods include determining that soil is in needof remediation. Determining that soil is in need of remediation may beperformed by any convenient protocol, such as determined by a trainedprofessional agriculturalist or apiculturist. In practicing methods ofthe invention according to certain embodiments, determining whether soilis in need of remediation may include assessing the microbial activityof the soil and evaluating by a human (either alone or with theassistance of a computer, if using a computer-automated programinitially set up under human direction) whether the soil would benefitfrom increase microbial activity in the soil. In other embodiments,determining whether soil is in need of remediation includes assessingthe nutrient content of the soil and identifying if the soil requires orwould benefit from supplementing one or more nutrients. In yet otherembodiments, determining whether soil is in need of remediation includesassessing for the presence of detrimental species in the soils, such aspathogens (pathogenic bacteria, viruses), plant parasitic species (e.g.,parasitic nematodes), pests (e.g., mites, aphids, psyllids, etc.) andchemical toxins (such as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, miticidesand other chemical compounds which exhibit phytotoxicity).

In some instances, soil may be determined to be in need of treatment bythe subject methods where the soil exhibits microbial activity accordingto the Formazan test which is 600 or less, such as 500 or less, such as400 or less, such as 300 or less, such as 250 or less, such as 100 orless and including where the soil exhibits microbial activity accordingto the Formazan test which is 50 or less. Any convenient Formazan testmay be employed, such as the one described in ISO 16072:2002 and titled:Soil quality—Laboratory methods for determination of microbial soilrespiration.”

In other instances, soil may be determined to be in need of treatment bythe subject methods where the soil includes the presence detrimentalspecies above a predetermined threshold. For example, the soil may bedetermined to be in need of remediation where the concentration of oneor more chemical toxins is above a predetermined threshold or where thepopulation of pathogenic or parasitic species is above a predeterminedthreshold, as determined by a trained professional agriculturalist orqualified apiculturist

In yet other instances, soil may be determined to be in need oftreatment by the subject methods where plants in the soil have shown a5% or greater decrease in crop production as compared to a suitablecontrol (e.g., previous seasons production), such as a 10% or greaterdecrease in crop production, such as a 15% or greater decrease in cropproduction, such as a 20% or greater decrease in crop production andincluding a 25% or greater decrease in crop production as compared to asuitable control.

In still other instances, the soil may be determined to be in need oftreatment according the subject methods where plants in the soil haveshown a crop production per area (e.g., pounds of fruits, nuts,vegetables, etc. per acre) which is below a predetermined threshold. Forexample, the soil may be determined to be in need of treatment by thesubject methods where the crop production per area is 2% or greaterbelow a predetermined threshold, such as 3% or greater below, such as 4%or greater below, such as 5% or greater below and including 10% orgreater below a predetermined threshold.

Methods for Preparing Pelletized Fertilizer Compositions

As summarized above, aspects of the invention also include methods forpreparing pelletized fertilizer compositions. In certain embodiments,methods for preparing the subject pelletized fertilizer compositions maybe characterized by a first process of producing a fertilizer pelletprecursor composition, which includes a cellulose nutrient component,microbial blend component, source of nitrogen, source of phosphorus,exotic micronutrients and a binder and then a second process ofproducing the final fertilizer pellets from the fertilizer pelletprecursor composition.

In some embodiments, methods for preparing pelletized fertilizercompositions of interest include combining a cellulose nutrientcomponent, a microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, a sourceof phosphorus, exotic micronutrients and a binder to produce afertilizer pellet precursor composition and pelletizing the precursorcomposition to produce one or more fertilizer pellets.

In other embodiments, methods include combining a cellulose nutrientcomponent, microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, a source ofphosphorus, exotic micronutrient and a binder and one or more of acarbon skeleton energy component, macronutrients, micronutrients,vitamin cofactors, a complexing agent, an ionophore, and an activatorcomposition to produce an fertilizer pellet precursor composition andpelletizing the precursor composition to produce one or more fertilizercomposition pellets.

In yet other embodiments, methods include combining a cellulose nutrientcomponent, microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, a source ofphosphorus, exotic micronutrient, wood and a binder to produce anfertilizer pellet precursor composition and pelletizing the precursorcomposition to produce one or more fertilizer composition pellets.

In still other embodiments, methods include combining a cellulosenutrient component, microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, asource of phosphorus, exotic micronutrient, wood and a binder and one ormore of a carbon skeleton energy component, macronutrients,micronutrients, vitamin cofactors, a complexing agent, fulvic acid, anionophore, and an activator composition to produce an fertilizer pelletprecursor composition and pelletizing the precursor composition toproduce one or more fertilizer composition pellets.

The components of the fertilizer pellet precursor composition may bemixed together by any convenient mixing protocol, such as but notlimited to planetary mixers, Patterson-Kelley blender, hand mixers,standup mixers, inline mixers, powder liquid mixers, batch mixers,kneaders, agitator drives, impellers, hydrofoil mixers, aerators, amongother mixing protocols.

In some embodiments, all of the components of the fertilizer pelletprecursor composition are added to the mixer simultaneously. In otherembodiments, each component may be added to the mixer sequentially. Oneor more components may be mixed concurrently while being added to themixer or all of the components are first added to the mixer and then theentire fertilizer pellet precursor composition is mixed.

In some embodiments, methods include drying the cellulose nutrientcomponent prior to combining with the other components to produce thefertilizer pellet precursor composition. By “drying” is meant that wateris removed from the cellulose nutrient component such that the driedcellulose nutrient component contains 5% w/w water or less, such as 3%w/w water or less, such as 2% w/w water or less, such as 1% w/w water orless, such as 0.5% w/w water or less, such as 0.1% w/w water or less,such as 0.05% w/w water or less, such as 0.01% w/w water or less, suchas 0.005% w/w water or less and including 0.001% w/w water or less. Thecellulose nutrient component may be dried using any convenient protocol.For example, the cellulose nutrient component may be dried underelevated temperatures, such as in an oven or furnace under atmosphericor reduced pressure. For instance, the temperature may range from 50° C.to 250° C., such as 55° C. to 200° C., such as 60° C. to 150° C. andincluding 65° C. to 100° C. In other embodiments, drying may also beachieved by spray drying the cellulose nutrient component, where wateris removed by a gaseous stream at an elevated temperature. In certaininstances, cellulose nutrient component is air-dried by blowing air(e.g., room temperature or heated air) over the cellulose nutrientcomponent. In these instances, the temperature employed duringair-drying may vary, so long as the temperature is sufficient to dry thecellulose nutrient component without altering or damaging the cellulosenutrient compound. In yet other embodiments, the cellulose nutrientcomponent may be sun-dried by maintaining the harvested cellulosenutrient component under sunlight.

In some embodiments, the particle size of the cellulose nutrientcomponent is reduced before mixing the components of the fertilizerpellet precursor composition together. In certain instances, thecellulose nutrient component is processed into a powder. The particlesize of the cellulose nutrient component may be reduced by anyconvenient protocol and may include but is not limited to lump breakers,hammermills, fine grinders, classifier mills or sifters, among otherparticle size reduction protocols. In certain embodiments, to reduce theparticle size, the cellulose nutrient component is passed through a meshscreen. Depending on the particle size desired, the mesh screen mayvary. In some embodiments, the mesh screen is a 40 mesh screen orsmaller, such as a 45 mesh screen or smaller, such as a 50 mesh screenor smaller, such as a 55 mesh screen or smaller and including a 60 meshscreen or smaller.

The components of the fertilizer composition are mixed together for anamount of time sufficient to incorporate each component and to produce ahomogenous mixture. For example, methods may include mixing for 1 minuteor more, such as 2 minutes or more, such as 3 minutes or more, such as 5minutes or more, such as 10 minutes or more, and including 15 minutes ormore.

In certain instances, the fertilizer pellet precursor composition may bemilled to reduce or homogenize the particle size of the precursorcomposition. The fertilizer pellet precursor composition may be milledby any convenient milling protocol, for example, round impellers, axialflow impellers, radial flow impellers, ball mill, rod mill, autogenousmill, pebble mill, grinding rolls, burrstone mills, semi-autogenousmill, vibratory mill or roller mill, among other protocols.

After incorporating all of the desired components, fertilizer pelletsmay be produced from the fertilizer pellet precursor composition by anyconvenient powder compression protocol, such as by pelletization,tableting, among others. In some embodiments, fertilizer pellets ofinterest are produced by tableting the fertilizer peller precursorcomposition in a manner sufficient to produce a pellet having a hardnessranging from 2 to 25 kP (kilopond) per cm², such as 3 to 22 kP per cm²,such as 5 to 20 kP per cm², such as 5 to 15 kP per cm², such as 5 to 12kP per cm² and including such as 5 to 10 kP per cm². The hardness ofpelleted fertilizer compositions may be determined using any convenientprotocol, including but not limited to a Monsanto hardness tester,Strong-Cobb hardness tester, VarianVK hardness tester, Pfizer hardnesstester, Erwecka hardness tester or Schleuniger hardness tester, amongother hardness testers.

The subject fertilizer pellets may be pelletized into any shape asdesired, such as in the shape of a circle, oval, half-circle, crescent,star, square, triangle, rhomboid, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon,rectangle or other suitable polygon or in the shape of a sphere, tablet,capsule, cube, cone, half sphere, star, triangular prism, rectangularprism, hexagonal prism or other suitable polyhedron. In certainembodiments, the fertilizer pellet precursor composition is pelletizedinto spheres. In other embodiments, the fertilizer pellet precursorcomposition is pelletized into the shape of cylinders.

The subject fertilizer pellet precursor composition may be pelletizedinto any size as desired, such as having a surface area which is 0.01cm² or more, such as 0.05 cm² or more, such as 0.1 cm² or more, such as0.5 cm² or more, such as 1 cm² or more, such as 2.5 cm² or more, such as5 cm² or more, such as 7.5 cm² or more, such as 10 cm² or more, such as12.5 cm² or more, such as 25 cm² or more and including 50 cm² or more.For example, the fertilizer pellet precursor composition may bepelletized to have a surface area that ranges from 0.01 cm² to 100 cm²,such as 0.05 cm² to 90 cm², such as 0.1 cm² to 75 cm², such as 0.5 cm²to 50 cm², such as 0.75 cm² to 25 cm² and including 1 cm² to 10 cm². Thefertilizer pellet precursor composition may be pelletized to have avolume that is 0.01 cm³ or more, such as 0.05 cm³ or more, such as 0.1cm³ or more, such as 0.5 cm³ or more, such as 1 cm³ or more, such as 2.5cm³ or more, such as 5 cm³ or more, such as 7.5 cm³ or more, such as 10cm³ or more, such as 12.5 cm³ or more, such as 25 cm³ or more andincluding 50 cm³ or more. For example, the fertilizer pellet precursorcomposition may be pelletized to have a volume that ranges from 0.01 cm³to 100 cm³, such as 0.05 cm³ to 90 cm³, such as 0.1 cm³ to 75 cm³, suchas 0.5 cm³ to 50 cm³, such as 0.75 cm³ to 25 cm³ and including 1 cm³ to10 cm³.

The temperature in preparing the subject pelletized fertilizercompositions may vary depending on the amount of components added aswell as the type of microbes in the microbial blend component and mayrange from 10° C. to 75° C., such as 15° C. to 70° C., such as 20° C. to65° C. and including 25° C. to 60° C.

Kits

Also provided are kits, where kits at least include one or more, e.g., aplurality of the subject compositions, as described above. In certainembodiments, the subject compositions in the kits may be provided in apackage. For example, the compositions of the kits may be presented inindividual pouches, bottles, or analogous containers, to preserve thecompositions until use. For example, one form of suitable packaging isan air-tight container, air-tight bag, re-sealable water-tight/air-tightcontainer, water-impermeable plastics material (e.g.,polyvinylchloride), etc.

In some embodiments, kits may include a separate amount of eachcomponent of the subject compositions (e.g., cellulose nutrientcomponent, microbial blend component, source of nitrogen, source ofphosphorus, exotic micronutrients, carbon skeleton compound, activatorcomposition, micronutrients, binder, wood, resin, etc.) where the usercan mix each component separately in proportions desired, prior toapplication. In these embodiments, kits may further include one or morecontainers for mixing the subject compositions as well as a measuringdevice for portioning out each component, as desired.

In certain instances, kits of interest include an amount of a cellulosenutrient component, a microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, asource of phosphorus, exotic micronutrients, a binder and instructionsfor mixing and pelletizing the cellulose nutrient component, microbialblend component, source of nitrogen, source of phosphorus, exoticmicronutrients and binder to produce a plurality of fertilizer pellets.

In other instances, kits of interest include an amount of a cellulosenutrient component, a microbial blend component, a source of nitrogen, asource of phosphorus, exotic micronutrients, a binder, an activatorcomposition and instructions for mixing and pelletizing the cellulosenutrient component, microbial blend component, source of nitrogen,source of phosphorus, exotic micronutrients, binder and activatorcomposition to produce a plurality of fertilizer pellets.

In yet other instances, kits of interest include an amount of acellulose nutrient component, a microbial blend component, a source ofnitrogen, a source of phosphorus, exotic micronutrients, a binder, anactivator composition, wood and instructions for mixing and pelletizingthe cellulose nutrient component, microbial blend component, source ofnitrogen, source of phosphorus, exotic micronutrients, binder, activatorcomposition and wood to produce a plurality of fertilizer pellets.

As described above, compositions of interest may in certain instances,be dry compositions. Accordingly, kits provided herein may furtherinclude a desiccant compound which absorbs atmospheric moisture duringstorage of the subject compositions. In embodiments, the desiccant maybe any convenient hygroscopic compound which induces or sustains themoisture content of the subject compositions during storage such thatthe water content of the subject compositions remains 1% w/w water orless, such as 0.5% w/w water or less, such as 0.25% w/w water or less,such as 0.1% w/w water or less, such as 0.05% w/w water or less, such as0.01% w/w water or less and including 0.001% w/w water or less. Thedesiccant may be contained in a separate package so that it does notcontaminate the subject compositions, for example in a mesh bag, openedcontainer, or air/water permeable polymeric or non-polymeric package.Desiccants of interest may include, but are not limited to silica gel,propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, butylene glycol, glycerol triacetate,vinyl alcohol, neoagarobiose, glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol,polydextrose, quillaia, lactic acid, urea, glycerin, aloe vera gel,activated alumina, aerogel, benzophenone, bentonite clay, calciumchloride, calcium sulfate, cobalt(II) chloride, copper(II) sulfate,lithium chloride, lithium bromide, magnesium sulfate, magnesiumperchlorate, molecular sieves, potassium carbonate, sodium, sodiumchlorate, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfate, sucrose andphosphorus pentoxide, among other desiccants.

Kits may further include components for practicing the subject methods,such as devices for applying the compositions to the soil (e.g.,sprayers or applicators), cartridges having a loaded predeterminedamount of the subject compositions, measuring cups or devices forportioning desired amounts for application.

In addition, kits may also include instructions for how to use thesubject compositions, where the instructions may include informationabout to how to apply the compositions to the soil, application intervalschedules, and record keeping devices for executing an applicationinterval regimen. The instructions are recorded on a suitable recordingmedium. For example, the instructions may be printed on a substrate,such as paper or plastic, etc. As such, the instructions may be presentin the kits as a package insert, in the labeling of the container of thekit or components thereof (i.e. associated with the packaging orsubpackaging) etc. In other embodiments, the instructions are present asan electronic storage data file present on a suitable computer readablestorage medium, e.g., portable flash drive, CD-ROM, diskette, etc. Inyet other embodiments, the actual instructions are not present in thekit, but means for obtaining the instructions from a remote source, e.g.via the internet, are provided. An example of this embodiment is a kitthat includes a web address where the instructions can be viewed and/orfrom which the instructions can be downloaded. As with the instructions,the protocol for obtaining the instructions may be recorded on asuitable substrate.

Utility

The aqueous compositions of the subject invention find use in a varietyof different applications, where such applications include: the controlof soil borne pests and pathogens; the improvement of water filtration;the improvement in mineral release; the enhancement in the water holdingcapacity of soil; the mellowing of soil textural qualities; theenhancement of the decomposition of plant tissues and accelerateddegradation of potentially toxic chemicals and/or allelopathicchemicals; the improvement of root mass in plants grown in treated soil;and the like.

The subject methods, i.e., soil application of the composition, mayresult in an enhancement of growth of a plant in the treated soil, ascompared to a plant in untreated soil. By enhancement of growth is meantthat over a set period of time, the plant in the treated soil attains ahigher total mass than the plant in the untreated soil. The amount ofenhancement will typically be at least about 5%, usually at least about10% and more usually at least about 25%, where in many embodiments theamount of enhancement may be 50% or greater. In many embodiments, theamount of enhancement will be at least about 100%.

Embodiments of the invention may also result in enhancement of cropyield, e.g., by 5-fold or more, 10-fold or more, 15-fold or more,20-fold or more, etc, where the amount of enhancement may be 25% orgreater, e.g., 50% or greater.

A variety of different soil borne pests may be controlled with thesubject compositions. Such pests include: plant parasitic nematodes,phylloxera, grubs, and the like. By controlled is meant that the pestpopulation in the soil is reduced, generally by at least about 5%,usually at least about 25% and more usually at least about 50%. As such,the invention provides methods and compositions for at least reducing,if not substantially eliminating, the population of soil borne pests insoil.

Similarly, the subject methods and compositions provide means forreducing the amount of pathogen present in soil. Pathogens that can betargeted with the subject methods include: pathogenic fungi,actinomycetes, bacteria, viruses, and the like. The subject methodsresult in a reduction of at least about 5%, usually at least about 25%,and more usually at least about 50% of the amount of pathogen in thesoil.

Also provided by the subject invention are methods and compositions forincreasing indigenous soil microbe populations. Beneficial microbeswhose population may be increased by the subject invention include:bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, various free-living invertebrates, andthe like. Applying the composition to the soil according to the subjectmethods results in at least a 2-fold increase, usually at least about a20-fold increase and more usually at least about 40-fold increase in themicrobe population in the treated soil.

The subject methods and compositions can also be used to improve waterfiltration through the soil. Water filtration may be improved by atleast about 1.5-fold, usually at least about 2.5× and more usually atleast about 4.5-fold.

Soil mineral release can also be enhanced using the subject methods andcompositions. Mineral release, e.g. the release of minerals such ascalcium, potassium and phosphorous, can be improved by at least about1.5-fold, usually at least about 3.0-fold and more usually at leastabout 5.0-fold as compared to that observed in control soil.

The subject methods and compositions can be used to increase the rootmass of plants grown in the treated soil. Generally, the subject methodsresult in an increase in root mass of at least about 1.5-fold, usuallyat least about 2.0-fold and more usually at least about 4.0-fold ascompared to control plants, i.e. plants grown in untreated but otherwisesubstantially identical soil.

The following experiments are offered by way of illustration and not byway of limitation.

EXPERIMENTAL Example 1—Reduction in NO₃ Leaching from Soil

Method:

Five PVC pipes (3′ long, schedule 80) were used to simulate a column ofsoil. Each column was fitted with a valve at the bottom. Fine, washedriver sand was used as the medium (sterilized, 40-mesh). Following arethe treatments:

Control—Sand only

Pellets A: Rice Hulls—mixed @10% v/v

Pellets B: Rice Hulls 75%, Hardwood 25%—mixed @10% v/v

Pellets C: Rice Hulls+Hardwood+microbes+activator composition—mixed @10%v/v

Sand was placed into the column within 5″ of the top to accommodateaddition of liquid. Each of the pellet treatments (b-d) were mixedhomogeneously with the same volume of sand as for treatment ‘a’. Thecolumns were placed vertically in a rack. Sterile tap water was runthrough each column to runoff to prewet the sand and the approximatevolume required to wet the column was noted. Seventy two hours (96 hrs)later each column received a volume of nitrate solution (0.60 mMCa(NO3)2, equivalent to ˜95 ppm solution of NO3). The volume used wasequivalent to the volume noted to wet the entire column. The columnswere incubated for 96 hours. At the end of the incubation period steriletap water (saturation volume+15%) was gently passed through each columnand the runoff collected in Erlenmeyer Flasks. The runoff from eachtreatment was evaluated to determine if the pellet treatments reducedthe potential for NO3 leaching. The tests were repeated 5 times. Eachtest started with clean, washed PVC tubes and new sand and pellets(simulating 5 replications per treatment).

Results:

TABLE 1 Treatment Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Mean Control36 32 31 38 29 33 c Pellets A 8 6 9 6 5  7 b Pellets B 10 9 12 10 10 10b Pellets C 0 0 0 0 0 0 a ppm [NO₃] In Leachate

As shown in Table 1, the control, pellets A and pellets B allowednitrate to leach through the column. However, the treatment pellets Chaving rice hulls, hardwood, microbes and activator composition heldonto the nitrate and curtailed leaching through the column.

Example 2

Fertilizer pellets including rice hulls as the cellulose nutrientcomponent were made up having 25% hardwood, microbes and activator. Thesoil to be treated was previously ripped and prepared to seedbedquality. The soil beds were listed and fitted with buried drip. Intoeach bed was delivered 2 tons/acre of the pelleted fertilizercomposition with activator and microbial blend.

Activator composition (e.g., Tilth, described above) was applied at 40gallons/acre and the soil allowed to activate for 10 continuous days.The plot also received 1 gallons/acre of microbial blend composition(e.g., Iota, described above) The soil moisture was maintained at80%-85% field capacity. This treatment replaced fumigation. Crop yieldsand quality were recorded. The plot treated with the subjectcompositions yielded 1,800 crates and had 82% Restaurant Grade berriesand 18% cannery berries. The Control plot yielded 750 crates with 54%Restaurant Grade and 46% cannery berries.

Example 3

Method:

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur and Calcium were blended intothe fertilizer pellet precursor composition which also containedmicronutrients, Zn, Fe, Mn and exotic minerals. Equimolar amounts ofeach nutrient were used as Control A and pellets with just cellulosenutrient pellet were used as Control B. The treatments were made tonewly planted bell peppers and continued throughout the season. Theyields were monitored for comparison.

Results:

TABLE 2 Treatment Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Mean Control503 485 481 464 429 472 a Composition A Control 754 710 703 697 676 708b Composition B Fertilizer 1,503 1,550 1,610 1,634 1,675 1,594 c PelletYield in Boxes per acre

As shown above, combining of the cellulose nutrient component with othercomponents of the subject fertilizer composition gives a synergisticresponse that secures more than the additive effects of either treatmentalone.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding, it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes andmodifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit orscope of the appended claims.

Accordingly, the preceding merely illustrates the principles of theinvention. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will beable to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitlydescribed or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention andare included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples andconditional language recited herein are principally intended to aid thereader in understanding the principles of the invention and the conceptscontributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to beconstrued as being without limitation to such specifically recitedexamples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein recitingprinciples, aspects, and embodiments of the invention as well asspecific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural andfunctional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that suchequivalents include both currently known equivalents and equivalentsdeveloped in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform thesame function, regardless of structure. The scope of the presentinvention, therefore, is not intended to be limited to the exemplaryembodiments shown and described herein. Rather, the scope and spirit ofpresent invention is embodied by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising contacting a composition tosoil, wherein the composition comprises a cellulose nutrient component,a microbial blend component, and exotic micronutrients.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the composition is baled or pelletized. 3.The method according to claim 1, wherein contacting comprises applyingthe composition from an applicator operated on the ground or an aerialapplicator.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the compositionis applied at a density of 2 tons of the composition per acre of soil.5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprisesapplying an activator composition to the soil.
 6. The method accordingto claim 5, wherein the activator composition is applied at a density of40 gallons of the activator composition per acre of soil.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises determiningmicrobial activity of the soil at a predetermined time after contactingthe soil with the composition.
 8. The method according to claim 1,wherein the cellulose nutrient component is a green manure crop or adried manure crop.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein thecellulose nutrient component is a source selected from the groupconsisting of humic acid, fulvic acid and ulmic acid and combinationsthereof.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the microbialblend component comprises at least one bacterial species and at leastone fungal species.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein thesoil-borne pathogen antagonist is a plant parasitic nematode antagonist.12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the plant parasiticnematode antagonist a rhizobacteria.
 13. The method according to claim1, wherein the exotic micronutrients include ionic species of at least10 different elements selected from the group consisting of: Aluminum(Al), Antimony (Sb), Barium (Ba), Beryllium (Be), Bismuth (Bi), Boron(B), Bromine (Br), Cadmium (Cd), Cerium (Ce), Cesium (Cs), Chromium(Cr), Cobalt (Co), Dysprosium (Dy), Erbium (Er), Europium (Eu), Fluorine(F), Gadolinium (Gd), Gallium (Ga), Germanium (Ge), Gold (Au), Hafnium(Hf), Holmium (Ho), Indium (In), Lanthanum (La), Lutetium (Lu), Lithium(Li), Mercury (Hg), Molybdenum (Mo), Neodymium (Nd), Nickel (Ni),Niobium (Nb), Platinum (Pt), Praseodymium (Pr), Rhodium (Rh), Ruthenium(Ru), Samarium (Sm), Scandium (Sc), Selenium (Se), Silicon (Si), Silver(Ag), Strontium (Sr), Sulfur (S), Tellurium (Te), Terbium (Tb), Thallium(TI), Thorium (Th), Thulium (Tm), Tin (Sn), Titanium (Ti), Tungsten (W),Vanadium (V), Ytterbium (Yb), Yttrium (Y), and Zirconium (Zr).
 14. Themethod according to claim 13, wherein the exotic micronutrients arepresent in an amount ranging from 1 to 15% w/w.
 15. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises wood.
 16. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the composition further comprisesmacronutrients and micronutrients.
 17. The method according to claim 1,wherein the micronutrients comprise one or more ionic species selectedfrom the group consisting of Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn),Copper (Cu), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo) and Cobalt (Co).
 18. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a sourceof nitrogen.
 19. The method according to claim 1, wherein thecomposition further comprises a source of phosphorous.